Basilica of La Merced, Cusco
The Basilica of La Merced, also known as Convent of La Merced, is a
Since 1972 the property is part of the monumental area of Cusco declared as a Historic Monument of Peru.[3] Also being part of the historic center of the city of Cusco, it is part of the area declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.[4]
History
The Basilica of La Merced was founded by Friar
Description
Inside there is a spectacular series of murals depicting the life of the Merced Order's founder, Peter Nolasco.[7]
Mercedarian monstrance
The monstrance is exhibited inside one of the main cloister environments of the Basilica of La Merced. It is a work of goldsmith made with gold and precious stones, with a total weight of 22 kilos of weight and 130 centimeters in height. It has 230 grams of gold and silver, 1538 diamonds, 628 pearls, 312 amethysts, 3 emeralds, 1 topaz and dozens of rubies and other gems; the monstrance has carved among them some angels in the upper part, the virgin in the center, bottom the mermaid and a sheep near the base of the monstrance.[8][9]
Sculpture of St. Peter Nolasco
The sculpture of St. Peter Nolasco that the church has is attributed to the Cusco-born Inca sculptor, Melchor Guamán Maita.
Museum
A small museum of religious art is found in the sacristy.[10]
Christ of the Earthquakes
In the customary departure of Holy Monday, the Christ of the Earthquakes, patron of the city of Cusco, arrives at the Basilica of La Merced to stay for an hour, to perform mass and receiving it with Christian songs. The Christ of the Earthquakes gets to change his habit from the Monastery of San José y Santa Teresa.
See also
References
- ISBN 1296850730.
- ^ Alfredo Benavides Rodríguez (1988) [1941]. La arquitectura en el Virreinato del Perú y en la Capitanía General de Chile (Third ed.). Chile: Editorial Andrés Bello. p. 33.
- ^ Relación de monumentos históricos del Perú (PDF). Lima: National Institute of Culture. December 1999. p. 37.
- ^ "City of Cuzco". UNESCO World Heritage website.
- ^ Miguel Salvá Munar; Pedro José Pidal (1855). Colección de documentos inéditos para la historia de España. Vol. 26. Madrid: Imprenta de la Viuda de Calero. p. 250.
- ^ a b Víctor Angles Vargas (1983). Historia del Cusco (Cusco Colonial). Vol. II Libro Primero. Lima: IndustrialGrafica. pp. 402–403.
- ISBN 9781101878668.
- ^ "Templo y Convento de La Merced". Lonely Planet.
- ^ Adelayda Letona García (1 December 2012). "Cusco: Algunas razones para ser Ciudad Maravilla del Mundo". Grupo RPP.
- ISBN 9781326179359.
External links
- The Basilica of La Merced website 360° views and information