San Francisco Church and Museum, Cusco

The San Francisco Church and Museum, located in Cusco, is a significant cultural and historical landmark within the city. Constructed in the Franciscan tradition, the church is situated on the south side of San Francisco Square. Since 1972, this edifice has been recognized as part of the Monumental Zone of Cusco, and in 1983, it was further honored as a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing the historic center of Cusco.

Architecturally, the church features a simple yet striking design compared to other churches in Cusco. It includes a single tower housing seven bells, one of which is the second largest in the city. The church is structured in the shape of a Latin cross and has three naves of basilica type. A notable interior feature is the high choir, meticulously carved in cedar in 1652 by friars Luis Montes, Isidro Fernández Inca, and Antonio de Paz, showcasing images of 93 Catholic saints.

The church’s Romanesque exterior and Plateresque front contribute to its aesthetic appeal, while its basements contain crypts that historically served as a burial site. Adjacent to the church is the convent, originally consisting of four cloisters, which now serve various educational and historical purposes. The second cloister, in particular, continues to function as part of the Colegio San Francisco de Asís.

The San Francisco Museum, housed within the church, spans two floors and is among the largest museums in Cusco. It is renowned for its extensive collection of religious paintings, Colonial furniture, and the impressive "Genealogy of the Franciscan Order" canvas by Juan Espinoza de los Monteros, measuring 12 meters by 9 meters. This canvas along with other artifacts like the series of Saint Antonio images, enriches visitors' understanding of the Franciscan heritage and the religious and cultural history of the area.