About us – Museo Inka

A Legacy in the Heart of the Andes

The Museo Inka is a leading institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the cultural heritage of the Andes. Through immersive exhibitions and educational programs, the museum invites visitors to connect with the enduring legacy of the Inka civilization and its predecessors.
Located in the historic Palacio del Almirante—once the residence of Inka Huáscar and later a colonial mansion—the museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Andean artifacts in Peru.

Our History

The origins of the museum date back to 1848, when it was founded by General José Miguel Medina as the first public collection of its kind in Cusco. Over time, it evolved into the University Archaeological Museum, formally integrated into the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco (UNSAAC).

Key milestones include:

1919: Acquisition of the Caparo Muñiz family collection, a foundational step under the leadership of university rector Dr. Alberto Giesecke.
1934–1941: Merger with the Institute of Archaeology, expanding its academic and scientific scope.
1940s–1970s: Major acquisitions, including pieces from the Alvisur and Herrera families, over 120 ceremonial qeros, and artifacts from scientific excavations at Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo.
1997: The museum adopts its current name, Museo Inka, emphasizing its focus on Inka heritage and Andean continuity.

Today, the Museo Inka serves as both a cultural and research institution, engaging scholars, students, and the general public.

The Historic Building – Palacio del Almirante

The museum is housed in the Palacio del Almirante, one of Cusco’s most significant colonial residences. Built on Inka foundations, the site originally belonged to Inka Huáscar, and was later assigned to Diego de Almagro during the Spanish conquest. It was successively owned by several notable colonial figures, including Governor Juan Álvarez Maldonado.
Dating to the 1580s, the building features Spanish Plateresque Renaissance architecture with finely carved stonework, a corner balcony, and heraldic crests. The name “Palacio del Almirante” honors Don Francisco Alderete Maldonado, a colonial admiral and descendant of the house’s lineage.
Its walls bear the imprint of centuries of transformation—Inka, Spanish, and Republican—and today, they host exhibitions that bridge past and present.

Mission

Museo Inka fosters dialogue between past and present, offering visitors a space for reflection, imagination, and cultural discovery through permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Vision

To be a dynamic and sustainable institution that reflects historical realities, disseminates cultural values, and maintains excellence in conservation, documentation, and public engagement—contributing to Peru’s social and cultural development.