The San Blas square is a public square located in the historic center of Cusco, Peru. It stands out for the Church of San Blas that stands next to it and that constitutes an important tourist point for its colonial architecture.

Since 1972 the property is part of the Monumental Zone of Cusco declared as a Historic Monument of Peru1. Also, in 1983, being part of the historic center of the city of Cusco, it is part of the central area declared by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity.2

The square is located in what was the ancient Inca neighborhood of “T’oqokachi” located on a hill 400 meters northeast of the old Huacaypata and 200 meters outside the sacred limits of the Inca city. In that hill rose, in addition to the tombs of the Huiracocha, Túpac Yupanqui and Huayna Cápac Incas, an Inca sanctuary dedicated to the cult of Illapa, Inca god of thunder, lightning and lightning. During the colonial era, the current Church of San Blas was built on that sanctuary. After the Spanish foundation of the city of Cusco, the San Blas neighborhood that extends around the church and the square was elevated to an indigenous parish and is considered the first parish in the city. In the 1990s, during the construction management of Mayor Daniel Estrada Pérez, the square underwent a reconstruction process. This process included the construction of the “paqcha” or fountain that rises in the northeastern wall of the square and which refers to the various springs that existed in that area.

The square extends between the streets Carmen Bajo (extreme southwest) and Tandapata (extreme northeast), the latter being at a higher height so access to the platform is done by stairs. Precisely at this end of the square, located on the slope, is the source or “paqcha” of the square that constitutes the best known tourist view of it. Facing the square, Tandapata Street hosts several restaurants and hotels. On Carmen Bajo Street, in front of the Plazoleta, is El Carmelo College, founded in 1963, which provides primary and secondary education for women and is run by the Congregation of Missionary Carmelites. On the northwest side of the square stands the Church of San Blas and on the southeast side there are residential buildings of colonial architecture of Cusco. Among these buildings is the museum, studio and shop of Hilario Mendívil Velasco (Cusco, 1927-1977) who, along with his wife Georgina Dueñas, were eminent artisans from Cusco whose work is still in force by their children and grandchildren3. In the center of the square a stone fountain stands out and usually receives painters and artists who offer their works to the public as well as the realization of portraits.
Art
Since San Blas is a neighborhood with a past of artists and sculptors, one of its main attractions is its varied sculptures carved in wood, silver and stone, as well as its ceramics and gold works.
This neighborhood of Cusco continues to maintain its initial style loaded with the mestizo features and colonial influence that remain in force in a city considered contemporary.
The Saturday Fair
The traditional Saturday Fair that takes place in the Plaza de San Blas from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon is the best time to appreciate and purchase the items that houses the diverse artistic collection of local artisans grouped in an association.