Cuzco style

The Cuzco style of architecture, which emerged in the mid-17th century, is characterized by a distinct design typology. This style features twin bell towers placed on an austere square base, framing an elaborately articulated central portal. The interior typically consists of three rectilinear naves, with Baroque decoration concentrated on the altarpiece.1

This architectural approach originated with the cathedral of Cuzco, a project attributed to Juan Bautista Egidiano. The style was later replicated in churches from Lima to Sucre, Bolivia. Notable examples include the late 17th-century churches of San Sebastián, San Pedro, and Belen in Cuzco, designed by indigenous architects. While the architects were indigenous, their artistic expression was rooted in European traditions. The Cuzco style is a significant development within the broader context of Latin American Baroque architecture.1