Corpus Christi Festival

In the city of Cusco, the Corpus Christi festival begins when the patron saints and virgins of all the parish churches in the city gather in the Plaza de Armas. Steeped in Andean symbolism and accompanied by brilliantly costumed marching bands and dancers, Corpus Christi in Cusco is truly a spectacle to behold.

History of the Corpus Christi
The Corpus Christi, which means “body of Christ,” is a Catholic holiday celebrated nine weeks after Easter. Celebrates the belief in transubstantiation. That is to say that at the moment of consecration, the bread or Eucharistic host is transformed into the blood and body of Christ. Traditionally, after Mass, the host is placed in its custody and carried in procession through the streets.

In 1573 the people of Cusco celebrated Corpus Christi for the first time. Viceroy Francisco de Toledo presented the festival as a way to solidify the religious conquest of the Andes after the fall of the Inca Empire. Essentially, the introduction of the festival was intended to be a dramatization of the triumph of Spanish Catholicism over Inca paganism.

However, the date of the festival coincided with older Andean festivals, including Inti Raymi and the winter harvest festival. These occasions involved transporting mummies and other sacred objects to the main square (Plaza de Armas), followed by several days of festivities. In this sense, the Corpus Christi festival in Cusco today bears a great resemblance to the most important traditions of the Andean world before the conquest.

Witness the festival today and you will see not only the superficial Catholic heritage but also the underlying Andean symbols. It is this coexistence that makes experiencing Corpus Christi in Cusco so fascinating.

Wednesday: the entrance

The festivities begin on Wednesday of Corpus Christi week. In the parish churches of Cusco, parishioners dress the statues of their patron saints and virgins with rich cloths and place them on beautiful ornate platforms. The bearers, accompanied by an entourage of parishioners, music bands and dance groups, carry the heavy litters to Calle Santa Clara. Some saints travel short distances, others from distances of up to 14 kilometers.

At the appointed time entry begins. One by one, the saints are brought to the main Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral of Cusco. Here they will spend the night in the company of the Lord of Tremors, patron saint of the city of Cusco.

Thursday: the procession

On Thursday morning, the archbishop of Cusco celebrates Mass in the Cathedral. The consecrated host is then placed in a 365-pound gold and silver monstrance that is transported in an 18th-century silver carriage. The carriage slowly travels through the Plaza de Armas, which is now packed with spectators. The solemnity of this first procession contrasts with the exuberance of the next.

Leaving the Cathedral one by one, each of the 10 saints and 5 virgins take their turn around the Plaza. The bearers struggle under the weight of the carved wood and silver. Marching bands play somber tunes and dance groups perform choreographed moves that raise the energy level by several octaves.

A cultural experience
For travelers to Cusco, Corpus Christi is an excellent introduction to Andean traditions. History and culture are interwoven in music, dance and costumes, as well as in the typical foods and drinks served in the surrounding streets.

Visit Plaza San Francisco to see lots of Cusco’s signature dish, chiriuchu. Served cold, it brings together ingredients from various regions: guinea pig, cecina, chorizo, giant corn kernels, rocoto and corn flour tortilla from the Andes, cheese from Puno and seaweed and fish roe from the coast. At the San Pedro Market, vendors sell seasonal fruits such as cherimoya, sugar cane, passion fruit, and more.

During the week, the doors of the Cathedral remain open to visitors who wish to greet the saints. The following Thursday, each saint parades back to his churches until the next year.

Tips for Corpus Christi

• In 2024 Corpus Christi will be celebrated on May 30. Entry is May 29.
• Corpus Christi is a holiday in Peru. Some businesses may be closed.
• On Thursday, the procession begins around 12:00 p.m. The best place to see it is from the second-floor balcony of one of the many restaurants and cafes that line the square.
• If you plan to watch the procession outdoors, wear sun protection and keep an eye on your personal belongings.

Cusco Journeys can pair you with a local guide who can explain the meaning and symbolism of the celebration as you watch. We can also take you to the best places to see the procession.

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