Cusco - La Compania

(Local Name: Compañia de Jesús) Compania de Jesus, or La Compania as it is called, on the Plaza de Armas is a Jesuit church built in the 16th century. It was hit hard by the 1650 earthquake but was rebuilt and finished in the later 1660s. La Compania was the source of much controversy at the time it was constructed because of its grandeur which threatened to surpass that of the Cathedral located in the same square. The bishop of Cusco complained about the church and its lavish design and the argument was finally brought to Pope Paul III to arbitrate. The Pope sided with the Cathedral but by the time word of his decision reached Cusco, La Compania was almost completed. Consequently the Pope's decision had little influence and as a result, La Compania has an impressive ornate, baroque façade which rivals that of the Cathedral. It looks particularly beautiful at night when it is lit up.

La Compania is built on the Inca foundations of the Palace of Huayna Capac.