Andahuaylillas, the
“Sistine Chapel of the Americas” |
In our view, artistic gems shine brighter
with the illuminating presence of a true passionate specialist by your side. We uniquely work with some of the leading experts
in the fields of archaeology, art and culture in South America
including Elizabeth 'Lisy' Kuon, a charming and fascinating Cuzco-born
specialist in Colonial art and art history. With Lisy's help we
are introducing a new exciting trip day trip south-east of Cuzco
to visit the unassuming, quiet villages of Huaro, Andahuaylillas
and Oropesa whose humble churches unexpectedly house mesmerizing
and spectacular frescoes and murals.
The seventeenth century church at Andahuaylillas, some 41 kms from Cuzco,
is known as the 'Sistine Chapel of America', with its huge Cusqueña
canvasses decorating the upper walls, unusual murals and ceiling
painted with Spanish flowers. The mural, deemed the most important
in all the colonial churches in the Cuzco region by the World
Monuments Fund*, was decorated by Don Luis de Riaño in 1629,
inspired by the humanist teachings of local priest, Don Juan Perez
de Bocanegra. Later, between 1675 and 1699, a similarly inspiring
church was built in nearby village Huaro. Detailed with mural
paintings and polychrome sculptures in a style that symbolizes
the coming together of European and indigenous schools at this
time.
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Interior of the Huaro church.
Photo Credit World Monuments Fund. |
Exterior of the Huaro church.
Photo Credit World Monuments Fund. |
Located a short distance from Cuzco,
this unique artwork brought to life by a true specialist like
Lisy, perfectly illustrates the richness of art found in even
the most humble of locations in the extraordinary country of Peru.
Please contact us to book
a visit or for more information.
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