Corpus Christi

When the saints dress in their finest robes

Of all Peru’s many religious festivities, Cusco’s Corpus Christi procession must rank as one of the most magnificent. Every year, in June, fifteen images of virgins and saints from the city’s main churches, flanked by archangels and delightful cherubim, are dressed in their finest robes and taken from their respective churches in procession, as far as Cusco’s main square. They are then housed in the cathedral for eight days, so they can pay homage to the image of Christ.

Each effigy, draped in all its finery, competes to be chosen as the best of all, while bands of musicians play and traditional dishes are served, including “chiriuchu”, a cold dish featuring guinea pig, which is eaten by the thousands of devotees who attend the celebrations.

Credit: Andrés Allain / PromPerú