Andahuaylillas

Location: Rediscover Machu Picchu > Peru & the Andes > Andahuaylillas

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The "Coppery Prairie"

The town of Andahuaylillas is about 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Cuzco, in the Puno - Titicaca directions.
 

It is a small town at a height of 3.100 m.

Initially its name was Antawaylla, "anta" meaning copper and "waylla" meaning prairie.
 

Few travelers wonder into this town.

After your Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu trip, you might want to find a quieter place to relax. Andahuaylillas could be just that...

Note: Andahuaylillas is often confused with Andahuaylas. The latter one is a small city further west, about 230 km (140 mi) away.

Attractions
 

The Sistine Church and the Plaza Central (Main Square) are the top attractions of Andahuaylillas.
 

The church is approximately 4 centuries old and is far more beautiful inside than outside.

It baroque church from the 1580s contains beautiful paintings inside, its walls are richly decorated with gold and other shiny ornaments.

The wood carvings, paintings and the coloured ceiling are very beautiful.

This church holds old objects from Peru's past, among them paintings of the Escuela Cusqueña.
 

You will notice different architectural styles when inside the church. Among them you will see Arab-influenced motifs, which the Spaniards had "brought with them" from the Iberian Peninsula.
 

This Christian church was built on top of an Inca foundation. A practice so wide-spread in case of Peruvian colonial churches.

Getting There

By train or by road vehicle.

It will take around 45 minutes either way. Little more or less, depending on speed and traffic.