Cristo+Blanco

As humans, when something is important to us, we celebrate it in a plethora of ways. One way is to create art resembling the topic. Cristo Blanco translate directly to “White Jesus.” This is a massive statue of Jesus Christ at the heart of Cusco. The statue stands 26 feet tall. Not only does it represent the religion of Peru, it also holds a lot of significance regarding Peruvian history.

Cristo Blanco was established in 1945 as a gift from the Arabic Palestinians. During World War II, this ethnic group sought refuge in Cusco. Francisco Olanzo Allende designed the statue. Allende was a local artist who was also delegated to design the archway that leads into Cusco’s San Francisco square, named the Santa Clara archway. Having a local artisan design the statue adds to the significance of Cristo Blanco.

The location of this monument is as crucial as its history. It is placed upon Pukamoqo Hill. Ancient legend tells that this hill was a very sacred place for the Incas. It was used as a spiritual location. Local legend tells that within the hill are soil samples from the four different quarters of the ancient Incan empire.

Many South American cities have statues of Jesus to represent the religion celebrated in their countries. Cristo Blanco in Cusco allows for a panoramic view of Plaza de Armas, a beautiful sight for any traveler. The importance of the statue that overlooks Cusco cannot be overlooked.

By: Taylor Brown