The Church of Triumph, Cusco

The Church of Triumph (Iglesia del Triunfo), located in Cusco, holds the distinction of being the first Christian church built in the city. Its construction commenced in 1536, just three years after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, on the city's main square. This site was historically significant, as the church was erected over Suntur Wasi, an Inca ceremonial building and armory that was connected to the palace of Wiracocha, reflecting the Spanish practice of building religious sites over indigenous structures to signify dominance and facilitate conversion.

The church's name, "Church of Triumph," commemorates a pivotal moment when the Spanish, on the brink of defeat, claimed a miraculous victory over the Incas. This victory was attributed to Saint James the Great, the patron saint of Spain, who, according to devout Catholics, descended from heaven to aid the Spanish forces. A statue within the church depicts Saint James on horseback, defeating an Inca warrior, symbolizing this legendary event.

Additionally, the church is notable for containing the vault of Garcilaso de la Vega, an esteemed Inca chronicler. Born in Cusco in 1539, de la Vega's remains were moved to the Church of Triumph in 1978 from Spain by King Juan Carlos, marking a significant repatriation of cultural heritage. De la Vega's works are crucial for understanding Inca culture and history, bridging Spanish and Andean worlds.

The Church of Triumph not only serves as a place of worship but also as a monument encapsulating the complex layers of Cusco’s history, from its Inca foundations to its colonial transformations.