Huancavelica’s most spectacular religious building, built in 1673, has been restored in attractive maroon and white. It contains what some say is the best colonial altar in Peru, with ornate cedar woodwork, as well as escuela cuzqueña (Cuzco school) paintings. Mass, the only time the church seems to be open, is 7am and 5:15pm daily, with more morning services on Sundays.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Minas de Santa Bárbara
1.43 MILES
The ghostly mines of Santa Barbara, high in the hills above Huancavelica, and accessed by a tough but rewarding 1½ hour hike, are the city's most poignant…
Laguna de Choclococha
26.94 MILES
Dazzling on a sunny day when the surrounding mountains are mirrored in its waters, Laguna de Choclococha at 4700m is one of many lakes adorning the…
Instituto Nacional de Cultura
0.06 MILES
This museum has displays about the area, plus a bundle of interesting information if you catch the right attendant on the right day and ask. There's a…
Iglesia de San Cristóbal
0.41 MILES
Attention is due to the building work on this two-towered church, containing several escuela cuzqueña (Cuzco school) paintings, but its beauty still…
Iglesia de La Ascensión
0.46 MILES
The red-and-cream facade of this 17th-century church is thought to show traces of Moorish influence.
Iglesia de Santa Ana
0.37 MILES
The city's first church, sporting a maroon-and-white color scheme and dating from 1576.
Iglesia de San Sebastián
0.21 MILES
Well-restored 17th-century church, with its ceiling partly finished in gold leaf.
Nearby Central Highlands attractions
1. Instituto Nacional de Cultura
0.06 MILES
This museum has displays about the area, plus a bundle of interesting information if you catch the right attendant on the right day and ask. There's a…
2. Iglesia de Santo Domingo
0.13 MILES
Two-towered church dating from 1601 and therefore one of the city's oldest.
4. Iglesia de San Sebastián
0.21 MILES
Well-restored 17th-century church, with its ceiling partly finished in gold leaf.
5. Iglesia de Santa Ana
0.37 MILES
The city's first church, sporting a maroon-and-white color scheme and dating from 1576.
6. Iglesia de San Cristóbal
0.41 MILES
Attention is due to the building work on this two-towered church, containing several escuela cuzqueña (Cuzco school) paintings, but its beauty still…
7. Iglesia de La Ascensión
0.46 MILES
The red-and-cream facade of this 17th-century church is thought to show traces of Moorish influence.
8. Minas de Santa Bárbara
1.43 MILES
The ghostly mines of Santa Barbara, high in the hills above Huancavelica, and accessed by a tough but rewarding 1½ hour hike, are the city's most poignant…