Regional Historical Museum of Cusco House of the Inka Garcilaso de la Vega

The city of Cusco has the category of Cultural Heritage of the Nation, recognized as such by Supreme Resolution No. 2900, of the year 1972. In accordance with this regulation, all the streets in the delimited area are classified as a monumental urban environment, with a total of one hundred and three (103) historical buildings classified as Monuments, highlighting within this categorization the house of the Inka Garcilaso de la Vega, a building where the facilities of the Regional Historical Museum of Cusco currently operate, declared as a Historical Monument of Peru by R.S No. 485-57-ED of the year 1957.

The construction of this emblematic building dates back to the 16th century, corresponding to civil buildings of minor palaces or mansions of the colonial era. Built on Inca terraces, which formed the Cusipata plaza, the Spanish Jesuit chronicler Bernabé Cobo mentions that the house is located on the fourth huaca of the eighth ceque towards Chinchaysuyo, and in this sense it is important to consider the use of this space since pre-Hispanic times.

Built by Pedro de Oñate, it preserves part of the Inca terraces on its façade. After his death, the building passed into the hands of Captain Sebastián Garcilaso de la Vega, father of the illustrious Inca mestizo writer Garcilaso de la Vega.

First Blue Shield in Cusco

The emblem of the Blue Shield has its origins in the Hague Convention, carried out by UNESCO in 1957, whose main function is to mark or signal recognized historical architectural monuments and provide protection in the event of armed conflicts, natural disasters, as well as support in post-crisis situations.

In our country there are historical buildings of great cultural value and which now enjoy special protection thanks to the blue shield. The monuments of the city of Cusco have been without this important emblem for years. However, at the initiative of the authorities of the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco, our city will have the high honor of bearing the first emblem since May 5, 2021 in the house of the distinguished mestizo chronicler Inka Garcilaso de la Vega. A building in which the facilities of the Regional Historical Museum of Cusco are located and will enjoy the special protection of the blue shield; whose placement will be with the consent of international and national organizations, with the official recognition of UNESCO, the Peruvian Committee of the Blue Shield, ICOM and the Municipality of Cusco. This is a first step that will lead to the marking of more cultural monuments for their protection.

The Institution

The Cusco Regional Historical Museum Casa del Inka Garcilaso de la Vega, 71 years after its foundation, continues to spread our history, preserving, researching, exhibiting and educating with the aim of improving the cultural identity of society.

History of the museum

It has its origins in the Museo Virreinal, its creation being decreed by D.S. No. 1335 of April 30, 1946. Its exhibition began with donations from the Concha Ibérico family, operating in the premises of the former Sociedad Mutua de Empleados.

It was later moved to the house of the Cuatro Bustos on San Agustín Street (today the Libertador Hotel). Considering the importance of the collections, the National Institute of Culture acquired the Casa del Inka Garcilaso de la Vega, allowing the Museo Virreinal to be elevated to the category of Regional Historical Museum by R.S. No. 207, March 1, 1967.

Earthquakes in 1986 and 1989

After the earthquakes in 1986 and 1989, the National Institute of Culture delegated architect Alcides Enríquez Peláez to carry out structural consolidation work and comprehensive intervention on the roofs of the colonial mansion, adapting the building for use as a museum, which included consolidation work on the stone and brick arches, the quincha wall on the second level facing Heladeros Street was renovated, as well as much of the wooden carpentry. Since this restoration, the museum continues to operate in this place.

1966. Civil Architecture

On the other hand, the importance acquired years ago by this building allowed it to be categorized as domestic civil architecture, by Supreme Resolution No. 485-1957-ED dated 09/12/1957. In 1963, the Ministry of Education expropriated the property from the Luna Oblitas family, to carry out restoration work between 1964 and 1966, led by architect Víctor Pimentel Gurmendi and Cusco architect Torres Ballón.

In 1967, by Ministerial Resolution No. 1167, the operation of the Regional Historical Museum was arranged; years later it became part of the National Institute of Culture, operating the Departmental Archive. The same year on December 9, the building was declared a National Monument by R.S. No. 485-57-ED.

19th and 20th centuries

Due to its architectural features and location, the building was a reference point for travelers, scientists and explorers who passed through Cusco between the 19th and 20th centuries. In the book by Ephraim G. Squier (1877) “A Journey through Inca Lands” he presents a drawing of the front of the house, as it looked in the second half of the 19th century. Subsequently, in the earthquake of 1950, the building suffered serious damage until the façade collapsed.

18th century

After the arrival of the Spanish and the distribution of plots, in 1534 the Garcilaso House was built by Pedro de Oñate, preserving part of the Inca terraces on its façade. After his death the building passed into the hands of Captain Sebastián Garcilaso de la Vega, father of our illustrious writer, Inka Garcilaso de la Vega.

Over the course of four centuries, this house had different owners, who adapted the facades, interiors and doors according to the needs and uses (warehouses, housing and commercial premises). One factor that contributed to these adaptations was the earthquakes of 1650, 1950 and 1986 that devastated the city of Cusco.

There is no record of the state and reconstruction of the house caused by the earthquake of 1650, however there are references that at the end of the 18th century, the first galleries were built in Cusco houses, which were not common; in relation to the Garcilaso house, one of them was built, maintaining the central courtyard as the main environment, being the axis of the functions of the house.

16th century

The construction dates back to the 16th century, corresponding to the civil buildings of minor palaces or mansions of the colonial era. It was built on Inca platforms that formed the Kusipata plaza; Bernabé Cobo maintains that during the government of the Inka Huayna Qhapaq, the fourth huaca of the eighth ceque towards Chinchaysuyo was established in this place.

Best Trekking and Tours in Peru

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