Baroque Route (South Valley)

The name of Tipón, according to some researchers could come from the word "T Olímpuj" whose meaning would be "to be boiling." Name that was directly in relation to the water of the sources that the complex presents, hence it is also known as “Temple of the water”. According to some historians and myths, this site would have been built by the Inca Wiracocha, and in it would be the so-called "Royal House" created to be the abode of the father of this Inca: Yawar Huaca.

Piquillacta or Pikillaqta is one of the most famous and best preserved pre-Inca places of the ancient cities that existed in Peru. But there are several ancient human settlements in Peru; each with specific knowledge and technologies, which then contributed to the establishment of the largest empire in the western hemisphere. The pre-Inca peoples that occupied the Cusco Valley were relatively "peaceful" peoples; They sought to dominate the natural resources of the area and the overlap and mastery of their culture. Piquillacta was developed between 600 and 1000 A.D. by the Wari culture from the Central Andes (Ayacucho), it expanded southward, being located in high Andean regions such as Cusco and Sicuani, from there it expanded to the western valleys of the southern coast in Arequipa.

It was built in the 16th century on an ancient Inca building, from which the bases are still preserved. The exterior aspect of the church is typical of the Andean colonial churches and does not attract much attention: the balcony-shaped chapel and the square bell tower on one side.

But it is the interior that impresses the visitor. The typically baroque decoration practically leaves no space uncovered, with paintings, sculptures and carvings.

In the entrance arch to the baptistery you can read the motto of baptism in five languages: Spanish, Latin, Quechua, Aymara and Pukina, now extinct language.