The
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) recently awarded Hierarchy 4, the country's highest tourism distinction, to the Saqsaywaman National Archaeological Park and the Temple of St. Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas.
The latter enjoys international recognition as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas."
With this recognition, Peru now hosts a total of 14 world-class tourism resources, reaffirming its strategic role as one of Latin America's leading cultural tourism destinations.
This distinction places the National Archaeological Park of Saqsaywaman and the Temple of St. Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas on a par with Machu Picchu, the Nasca and Palpa Lines, and the Amazon River.
The distinction was received by regional and local authorities during a ceremony that reaffirmed the Peruvian State's commitment to preserving and enhancing the country's cultural heritage.
The Mincetur head emphasized that this recognition positions Saqsaywaman among Peru's most important tourism resources, both nationally and on the international market.
"Cusco is the region with the largest number of Hierarchy 4 resources in Peru, with five sites recognized: Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, the Historic Center of Cusco, Andahuaylillas, and Saqsaywaman (…) From Mincetur, we reaffirm our commitment to continue working jointly to support these initiatives, creating greater value and strengthening the promotion of our tourism resources," she indicated.
Hierarchy 4 distinguishes tourism resources of an exceptional nature, characterized by high heritage value, uniqueness, and international reach, as well as the capacity to attract sustained visitor flows.
As part of the benefits granted by the Peruvian State to resources holding this designation, tourism planning for both attractions will be fostered, their promotion will be prioritized through the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (PromPeru).
Furthermore, priority will be given to investment projects and programs aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.
As a reminder, Saqsaywaman is a jewel of Inca civilization, renowned for its architectural grandeur, spiritual significance, and strong role as a driver of sustainable tourism in the country.
It was a major pre-Hispanic ceremonial complex, built during the reign of the Inca ruler Pachacutec and later expanded by his successors.
Every year, on June 24—coinciding with the winter solstice—the site hosts the Inti Raymi festival, during which the Inca ritual honoring the Sun god, Inti, is reenacted.
International recognition
Previously,
Deputy Tourism Minister Aracelly Laca conferred Hierarchy 4 on the Temple of St. Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas, widely known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas" and regarded as one of the finest expressions of religious art and Andean Baroque in Peru and Latin America.
This site stands out for an interior lavishly adorned with murals, paintings, altarpieces, and handcrafted works in the mestizo Baroque style.
The Temple of St. Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas forms part of the Andean Baroque circuit, alongside other viceregal-era churches in the southern Peruvian Andes. It also is included in the Sacred Valley of the Incas southern tourism route, which attracts thousands of domestic and international visitors.
"With Hierarchy 4, the Temple of St. Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas, located just 40 kilometers from the city of Cusco, is consolidating as a representative destination for cultural, religious, and experiential tourism in Cusco region," the deputy minister said.
In this regard, she added that, according to information from the Asociación SEMPA—the institution responsible for promoting and preserving the monument—the Temple of St. Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas welcomed more than 100,000 domestic and international visitors in 2025.
This figure underscores the site's strong tourism potential within the Cusco region.
Published: 2/8/2026