Thing to do
Machu Picchu
The Inca citadel on a ridge above the Urubamba, about 80 km from Cusco, visited on one of three official circuits reached by train and bus…
Hatun Rumiyoc and the San Blas Quarter
A walk past the Twelve-Angled Stone on Hatun Rumiyoc and up into San Blas, Cusco's hillside quarter of artisans' workshops, cafés and city views.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic neighbourhood walk
- Area
- San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Good to know
- Free to walk
- Artisan workshops
- City views
Why we recommend it
This short walk from the centre into San Blas links two of the classic sights of Cusco: a perfect piece of Inca masonry and the city's most characterful hillside quarter. It starts on Hatun Rumiyoc, the street where the outer wall of the Archbishop's Palace is built from the fitted stones of an Inca palace.
The wall's star is the Twelve-Angled Stone, a block of diorite cut with twelve corners and fitted so precisely to its neighbours that it has become a symbol of Inca stonework and a source of pride for the city. Other Inca stones have just as many angles, but this is the famous one. It was declared a cultural heritage monument of Peru in 1972 and is part of the World Heritage historic centre. Treat it with care: in February 2025 a man struck it with a hammer and broke off fragments, causing damage that cannot be undone.
From here the lanes climb into the Barrio de San Blas, a short but steep walk from the Plaza de Armas. The area is known for artists' studios and artisans' workshops, and for its bars, restaurants and hostels. Many streets are pedestrian-only, so it is a pleasant place to wander, and the higher lanes give some of the best panoramic views over the roofs of the city.
At the top of the Cuesta San Blas, on the right as you climb, the small white adobe Templo de San Blas stands on its own little plaza. It is said to be the oldest parish church in Cusco. Its treasure is a churrigueresque pulpit carved from cedar, reputedly from a single trunk, which some consider the finest woodcarving in the world. A local legend says the carpenter's skull was placed in the pulpit beneath the feet of St Paul after his death, although nobody can say whether that is fact or folklore. The main altar is Baroque and covered in gold leaf. The church has an admission charge and opens on a limited timetable, so check before you go.
The walk suits anyone with an hour or two, and it is free unless you go into the church or the workshops. The climb is steep at this altitude, so take it slowly. Watch your belongings, particularly at night, and finish with a coffee or a meal in one of the quarter's cafés.
Hatun Rumiyoc and the San Blas Quarter FAQs
Where is the Twelve-Angled Stone?
In the Inca wall of the Archbishop's Palace on Hatun Rumiyoc street in the historic centre.
What is the stone made of?
It is a block of diorite cut with twelve angles and fitted without mortar.
Is San Blas far from the Plaza de Armas?
No, it is a short but steep walk uphill from the Plaza de Armas.
What is San Blas known for?
Artists' studios, artisans' workshops, cafés, bars and views over the city.
What is special about the San Blas church?
Its cedar pulpit, carved in the churrigueresque style and reputedly made from a single trunk.
Does the walk cost anything?
The streets are free to walk, though the church charges for entry.
Is it safe at night?
Many streets are pedestrian-only and pleasant, but watch your belongings, especially after dark.
Was the Twelve-Angled Stone damaged?
Yes, in February 2025 a man struck it with a hammer and broke off several fragments.