Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

Santurantikuy in Cusco

Santurantikuy in Cusco

4MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2022-10-07

On December 24th, the Santurantikuy Fair takes place in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas every year. This Artisan Fair is an important day for Andean artisans and takes place all day and late into the evening. The Santurantikuy traditional fair in Cusco was named Cultural Heritage of the Peruvian Nation on September 22, 2009, for being one of the most representative cultural expressions of Catholicism in the Andean region of Peru. Without a shadow of a doubt, it is one of the most recognized Christmas festivals in all of Peru.

This event brings together around 500 artisans, who, coming from different parts of Cusco and other regions of the country, exhibit their creative work throughout the year, which will decorate homes and institutions for the Christmas period. This spectacular traditional art fair brings together artists and artisans, many of which are from the San Blas neighborhood of Cusco.

 

Santurantikuy is an iconicc festivity celebrated every December 23rd and 24th in Cusco´s Plaza de Armas. This ancient ancestral tradition has become one of the most anticipated events during the Christmas season, where people from all over the Cusco region come to sell their products. Make sure you stop by sme of the stalls when you travel to Cusco Peru around Christmas time!

Peruvian Nativity Scene

History

The fair dates back hundreds of years, from colonial days when Catholic priests would try to convert the indigenous people of the Cusco region to Christianity who accepted some of the Catholic practices, incorporating them into their traditional, indigenous spirituality. The name Santurantikuy derives from both Spanish and Quechua; “Santu”, or saint in Latin, and “tikuy”, in Quechua, meaning sale. Elements of the ancient Inca religion, such as the sacred mountains of the Andes, called Apus, and Inti, the sun god, is often symbolized in the crafts sold at the fair.

 

Santurantikuy dates back to the 16th century when the Spanish introduced Catholicism to the Inca Empire. During the Christmas season, they would set up nativity scenes in the churches and their homes, representing the birth of Jesus. However, due to the scarcity of figures for the nativity scenes, the people of Cusco began to make and sell their own handmade images. Find out more on a Cusco city tour.

Santurantinkuy, Early Evening

Manuelito

One of the most characteristic artisanal objects of the Santurantikuy Fair is the “Niño Manuelito”. The creation of Manuelito's dates back to colonial times, way back in Cusco’s history, to the colonial era. These figurines and sculptures represent The Baby Jesus Christ, traditionally shown as a white-skinned child with black curls and a tiny mirror inside the mouth. Nowadays, Manuelito's have become more diverse, and artists apply their different interpretations, perhaps with varying skin tones, in various poses, or with other facial expressions. Every Christmas Eve, thousands of people attend Santurantikuy and wander around, browsing and admiring each artisan’s creations. And there are hundreds of expert artisans exhibiting their crafts.
El Niño Manuelito is the central character of Christmas in Cusco. The city has a festive atmosphere with the arrangement of the balconies of the Plaza De Armas, with Christmas lights, tinsel, and Christmas decorations. The image of the child Manuelito is venerated yearly during the Christmas holidays as the central image. 

 

Manuelitos are said tobe the image of the baby Jesus and are sold all across Santurantinkuy! Other figurines such as Mary and Joseph are popular statues on sale. Make sure you can buy some unique festive souvenirs on your Cusco City tour around Christmas!

Manuelito's

The Handicraft Fair

You can find many objects on sale at this artisan fair, such as wooden sculptures, plaster, metal, ceramics, and altarpieces. You can see various kinds of miniatures and tiny metal objects, the most popular being the clay images to decorate the nativity scenes, brought from various towns in Cusco.  The fascinating thing is the world view in the presence of the different figurines for the nativity, with llamas, cows, donkeys, sheep, alpacas, and other Andean animals, that make up the scene of birth. The wise men, virgins, Joseph, Mary, and several angels, can be found at this fascinating market.

 

Every December 24, the Plaza de Armas in the city of Cusco becomes the Mother of all Christmas markets and one of the largest art celebrations related to Christmas. The Santurantikuy fair epitomizes the Christian and Andean religious cultural fusion of religions that identifies Cusco. Make sure you include Santurantinkuy on your Peru vacation packages.

Merry Christmas on a Cusco Wooden Door

Delicacies of Santurantikuy

Traditional treats are sold on every corner of the market, with sweets, cotton candy, “chicha” corn beer, and Andean bread at night in Cusco hot punch. In the afternoon, the smell of chicharron and other traditional Cusco dishes floods the streets. 

 

As Santurantikuy draws to an end, Cusco transforms into a magical Christmas scene with twinkling Christmas lights and festive decorations. The cobblestone streets light up, trees in the Plaza de Armas, and surrounding balconies are decorated with sparkling colored lights, creating an amazing visual atmosphere. Christmas in Cusco is original, different, and authentically unusual so visit on your Peru tour package.

Candy Floss Sellers

 

Each Christmas Eve, thousands of people attend Santurantikuy and wander slowly, browsing and admiring each artisan’s creations. And there are hundreds of expert artisans presenting their crafts. Why not come and spend a magical Christmas holiday in Cusco? We will be there every step of the way so that you can experience a memorable and very different Christmas holiday!

 

If you are looking for Peru holiday packages around Christmas time, make sure they include Santurantinkuy as the perfect festive celebration with a difference! Christmas has never been so Andean!

!Feliz Navidad!

 

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