Table of Content
Discover the Ancestral Treasure of Peru in the Heart of the Inca Empire
History and heritage
Located in the historic Cabrera House, this emblematic colonial building was originally the “Amaru Cata” or “Temple of Knowledge,” an educational center of the Inca Empire built over 500 years ago.
After the Spanish conquest in 1550, the property was transformed into a religious convent and later became the Monastery of Santa Clara. In the 17th century, Luis Jerónimo Cabrera acquired the property, leaving his surname to this historical monument.
First Peruvian museum specialized in pre-Columbian art
In 1981, Banco Continental completely restored its 2,000 square meters, creating, with the support of the BBVA Foundation, the current Pre-Columbian Art Museum of Cusco.
Collection and exhibitions
The museum houses an extraordinary collection of 403 masterpieces that span from 1250 BC to 1532 AD, carefully selected from the 45,000 pieces of the prestigious Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum in Lima.
Specialized thematic rooms:
- Nazca Room – Polychrome pottery
- Mochica Room – Ceremonial art
- Huari Room – Andean textiles
- Chimú Room – Ancestral goldsmithing
- Inca Room – Imperial art
- Viceroyalty Room – Cultural fusion
- Gold Room – Precious metals
- Silver Room – Colonial silverware
- Wood Room – Carved sculptures
Practical information for tourists
Visiting hours
Monday to Sunday
9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Open every day of the year
Admission prices
S/ 20.00
General Admission
Students: S/ 10.00
(With valid ID)
Strategic location
Historic Center of Cusco
5 minutes walking from the Main Square
Easy access from central hotels
Recommendations
Visit duration: 2-3 hours
Best time: Mornings (fewer tourists)
Photography: Allowed without flash
Why visit the Pre-Columbian Art Museum?
✓ Unique collection of pre-Columbian art in Cusco
✓ Exceptional colonial architecture
✓ World-class museography
✓ Perfect complement to Machu Picchu
