This is an entire convent with exhibits on monastic life and the history of the convent. It’s excellent and even if you’re not big on Catholic history, it’s a fascinating snapshot of Cusco history during colonization. It is also the location of the Inca Acllahuasi, which means “house of the chosen ones.” (Huasi is often also spelled wasi).

Almost everything on display is colonial and details the life of nuns during the 1600s and 1700s. It’s only at the entrance that you see information about the women who lived there before the Spanish invasion. (below)

According to Go2Peru, this “was the Inca place in which the acllas (women chosen by their lineage and beauty, offered as eternal wife of the god Inti - the sun) lived. In this temple only the Coya (queen), Ñustas (princesses) and the Inca king could enter; between 500 and 1000 acllas lived there permanently.”

Practical Info

Plazoleta de Santa Catalina N° 401

Open Monday-Saturday 8:30am-5:30pm and Sunday 2pm-5pm. Admission s/8, students s/4