It was built in the 17th century and is located in the Plaza Mayor of Ayacucho. It has ten altarpieces bathed in gold leaf and is consecrated to the Virgin of the Snows. It combines Renaissance and Baroque elements.
The sobriety of its façade contrasts with the richness inside. There are the famous altarpieces of Our Lady of Socos, the Lord of Burgos and the Crying Child, stories that appear in The Peruvian Traditions of Ricardo Palma.
The Cathedral of Ayacucho is a religious establishment of colonial origin, which is located in front of the Plaza Mayor, in the city of Ayacucho itself. This church was built in the 17th century, and today, it is one of the most beautiful religious establishments in the territory of Ayacucho. This is created under the protection of the Virgin of the Snows.
The Cathedral of this city was built, as is known, between the years 1612 and 1672. However, despite its early construction - given over a period of 60 years -, it suffered serious damage in the earthquake that occurred in the city. area in the 18th century; The damage that occurred to the building led to its reconstruction, an event that was carried out after the year 1719. Although this was the first important reconstruction of the temple, it has not been the only one that has occurred there, throughout of its more than four hundred years of existence.
Architecturally, the Ayacucho cathedral is erected on a platform. The construction of this temple occurred through the exclusive use of stone as a structural material, and although there are areas of this temple that seem to be made of simpler materials, that is only a simulation that adds artistic value to the design.
Externally, this church presents a fairly sober design that contrasts with the rich internal decoration that it presents. The High Altar of this church is a gold-plated work of art; The altar has a marked baroque style and has considerable dimensions that are distributed in three sections and five streets. Part of the pieces that adorn this altar are a series of sculptures, among which the most important ones are: The Virgin of the Snows, showing off the central space of the altar; in addition to a canvas of the Crucified Christ, effigies of Saint John the Baptist and the Magdalene, the “Crying Child”, among others.
To the main altarpiece, there are a pair of immediate side altarpieces, which together with the High Altar, seem to form a trio of colossal religious structures; These side altars are erected, presenting as central images, on the one hand, the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, and on the other, the Crucified. In addition to the trio of monumental altarpieces, there are others located on the side walls of the temple and that are housing effigies such as that of San Pedro, that of the Virgin of Carmen, the Virgin of the Assumption, among others.
As part of the internal decoration of the cathedral, there is also the beautiful pulpit that it presents and which, despite retaining the baroque trend of the rest of the building, is differentiated from other pieces by its dark color. Also striking, inside the temple, is the group of four confessionals that it presents near its main entrance. Those have the same dark color as the pulpit and, according to some data collected, they seem to have belonged, until the 18th century, to part of the furniture of the Church of the Company in this city. Those confessionals are true pieces of art, which present fine religious carving in their structure.
The entrance fee is S/ 10 soles and the opening hours are from 10:00 -12:00 / 16:00 -18:00 h.
The Cathedral Basilica of Santa María de Ayacucho has been a silent witness to the development and growth of the city for almost 350 years. It grew alongside the Spanish mestizaje, the displacement of the Tahuantinsuyo empire, and the resulting cultural mix. It also saw the passage of Spanish and patriot troops before the battle of Ayacucho, and its bells were rung to celebrate the victory.
Admire the architecture. Take time to observe the lines of the façade, the niches with the images of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and the bell towers that rise against the blue sky of the Andes.
Tour the temple. Many of the images found in the temple date back to colonial times. The Christ of the Resurrection, the Lord of Burgos, the Virgin of Carmen, the Virgin of the Snows and many other devotions that found a place in Huamanguina devotion.
Delight in the dome. A spectacular simple dome opens over the main altar. Don't miss the pulpit, carved from dark walnut wood and used by the priest for homily.
Enter the museum and climb the bell tower. The cathedral has a sacred museum, and you can go down to the catacombs. From the top of the bell tower you will get a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
Whoever wants to see this beautiful church has to go to the Plaza Mayor in the city of Ayacucho. This is open every day of the year.
The Cathedral Basilica of Santa María de Ayacucho is located on the Municipal Portal, the extension of the Jirón 2 de Mayo, at the eastern end of the Plaza de Armas of Ayacucho. Seen from the front, on your left you have the building of the Provincial Municipality of Huamanga.
In general, all Huamanguinos will tell you where the cathedral is located. A good option is to visit it at the end of the afternoon, when there is mass and the candles in front of the altarpieces start capricious reflections of the gold leaf.
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