Andahuaylillas

Andahuaylillas is a small town 40 km southeast of Cuzco, towards Puno, at an altitude of 3100 m.

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

Few travelers come to this little town, because most don't even think about wondering eastwards out of the Sacred Valley. 

Those who do take a trip to Andahuaylillas, the church is the primary attraction. It is rich in old paintings and other valuables.

This church, as many others in Peru, was constructed on top of an ancient Inca building. The foundation therefore is mostly Inca and due to the solidity, durability, the Spanish colonists have chosen to build on top of it.

The church dates back to the 1580s and is constructed in baroque style.

Inside, you will notice different architectural styles, among which even Arab influence, which the Spaniards brought with them from the Iberian Peninsula (strongly influenced by Arab architecture).

The building is strongly decorated inside. Many wood carvings, paintings, coloured roof. This church holds old objects from Peru's past, among them paintings of the Escuela Cusqueña.

Andahuaylillas is good to visit if you have a lot of time to wander around the Sacred Valley and around it. If you only have 2-3 weeks, then you'd better see all the other major destinations in the zone, which are the primary "treasures" in this part of Peru.