Cusco Art Galleries

(Cusco / Cuzco, Peru)

The gorgeous scenery and landscape around Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas is exceptional and appears on the paintings within the city's art galleries, being captured by local Peruvian artists. Both cheap prints and more expensive paintings make good souvenirs of Cusco and are readily available at galleries and stores within the city.

Permanent collections of art can be found at commercial galleries, while art museums are also on hand, such as those at both the Museum of Popular Art (Museo de Arte Popular) and also at the Museum of Religious Art (Museo de Arte Religioso), amongst many other options. For the very best in modern Peruvian art in Cusco, then the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo) is a must.

Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo (Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art)

Address: Plaza Regocijo, Cusco, Peru, PE
Offering something for lovers of stylish, modern art, the Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo is to be found within the Municipal Palace (Municipality Building), at the centrally located Plaza Regocijo, on the western side of the Plaza de Armas. Various large and colourful contemporary-style canvasses are displayed here, with an unmistakable Andean theme being ever present.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: entrance with 'tourist ticket' only

Casa Cabrera

Address: Plaza Nazarenas 231, Cusco, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 84 23 3210
The Casa Cabrera is both an art gallery and museum, whilst providing a useful auditorium space and being regarding by locals in Cusco as a 'Cultural Centre'. Dating back to the 16th century, this attraction was badly damaged by a serious earthquake in the mid-17th century and needed to be subsequently rebuilt. Today, the Casa Cabrera contains a permanent display of historical photographs, which were taken by the much-celebrated Peruvian photographer, Martin Chambi. Other local artists can also be found here, along with a rather unexpected and valuable series of old coins.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 15:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Museo de Arte Religioso (Museum of Religious Art)

Address: Hatunrumiyoc, Cusco, Peru, PE
Interestingly for many visitors, the Museo de Arte Religioso actually started its life as the Palace of Inca Roca and was later converted into an important colonial residence, before becoming the official Palace of the Archbishop. Today, the museum is dedicated to religious art works, although its period furnishings and decorated ceilings are not to be overlooked, especially in the Room of the Archbishops (Sala de Arzobispos).
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available

Museo de Arte Popular (Museum of Popular Art)

Address: Galerias Turisticas, Avenida El Sol 103, Cusco, Peru, PE
Situated within the basement of the office to the Boleto Turistico del Cusco (OFEC) on the Avenida El Sol the Museo de Arte Popular contains a very interesting collection of ceramics, photographs, paintings and sculptures, including pieces by notable Peruvian artists, such as Edilberto Mérida, Hilario Mendivil and also Santiago Rojas. The Museo de Arte Popular is owned and managed by the Instituto Americano de Arte and offers plenty of variety.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Iglesia y Monasterio de Santa Catalina / Museo del Convento de Santa Catalina (Santa Catalina Convent)

Address: Santa Catalina Angosta 190, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 084 22 6032
Located in the very heart of the beautiful Santa Catalina monastery, the Museo del Convento de Santa Catalina deserves attention and contains a truly impressive collection of art works, which originally came from the highly acclaimed Cusquenan Art School / Cusco School of Painting (Escuela Cuzquena). The Santa Catalina Convent's valuable collection of religious art works include a number of colonial paintings, various ancient religious relics, and a rather eye-catching chapel, brimming with Baroque detail. Look out for the main altar, which is carved out of cedar wood, with great attention to detail.
Open hours: Saturday to Thursday - 09:00 to 17:30, Friday - 08:00 to 16:00
Admission: entrance with 'tourist ticket' only

Museo de Arte Pre Colombino (Pre-Columbian Art Museum)

Address: Plaza Nazarenas 3210, Cusco, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 084 23 3210
The Museo de Arte Pre Colombino is housed within a grand Spanish colonial mansion, which comes complete with its very own ceremonial Inca courtyard. Filled with interesting pre-Columbian art works, the gallery is also home to a relatively small collection of Peruvian artefacts from around the Cusco region, along with multi-coloured pottery exhibits, detailed jewellery and historical Inca treasures, which are displayed within both of the museum's Mochicha and Nazca galleries. Multi-language labelling means that it is easy to fully appreciate what you are looking at.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 22:00
Admission: charge, discounts for students and children

Museo Hilario Mendivil

Address: Plaza de San Blas 634, Cusco, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 084 24 0527
The Museo Hilario Mendivil showcases the original creations by local religious artist Hilario Mendivil (1929 to 1977). On exhibit at this excellent gallery are a series of his unique rice-plaster sculptures, which are often of a religious nature and tend to feature his trademark elongated necks. Particular favourites include the 'Virgin of Belen' and also the 'Virgin of Milk'.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 20:00
Admission: free