Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »
Countries
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan
Cities
  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Drunken Lampposts at night
Drunken Lampposts
Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride
Mastodon Ridge
Marvin the Mastodon
Giant mussel artwork
Mussel Village Bruinisse
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Food window and entrance of center.
Indian Arts Center
Steaming Tender Restaurant
Tiptree Jam Museum entrance.
Tiptree Jam Museum
The Reading Room blends the intimacy of an inviting bar with the inviting solace of a good bookstore.
The Reading Room
Building
The Mountain House
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Peru Cusco ‘Abode of the Gods’
AO Edited

‘Abode of the Gods’

This outdoor sculpture gallery is a modern-day homage to Andean culture and history.

Cusco, Peru

tisbutajourney profile photo
Added By
Kathryn McDanel
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  tisbutajourney / Atlas Obscura User
  tisbutajourney / Atlas Obscura User
  tisbutajourney / Atlas Obscura User
  tisbutajourney / Atlas Obscura User
  tisbutajourney / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The art installation Apukunaq Tianan (‘Abode of the Gods’), carefully sculpted by Cusco-based artist Michael de Titán Monteagudo Mejía, is a loving homage to important Inca and Andean gods. The impressive sculptures, some towering nearly 27 feet tall, shine a modern-day light on key aspects of Andean culture and identity by illuminating important myths and symbols.

Many of the sculptures are carved directly into the earth and are connected through underground tunnels that visitors can explore for a small additional fee. One of the most notable sculptures is a monument to the Puma, often referred to as “Kay Pacha” in Quechua, which symbolizes the living world and frequently represents power and strength in Inca culture.

Tourists can take fierce photos inside the Puma’s open mouth before being swallowed whole into the tunnel beyond.

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Know Before You Go

Abode of the Gods is one hour from Cusco in the district of Poroy. It is possible to reach this destination by public bus or taxi—hop onto Expresso Santiago from the Puente Rosario bus stop close to the center of downtown Cusco.

Abode of the Gods is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and easily accessible by taxi or public transportation. Only one hour from Cusco, a visit to this exhibit can make an excellent afternoon trip for travelers, and it is close to another popular destination, Area 21 Cusco.

Tours range from 2 to 4 hours $15 to $25.

Community Contributors

tisbutajourney profile photo

Added By

tisbutajourney

Published

May 1, 2025

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos

Related Tags

Incas Sculptures
‘Abode of the Gods’
CU-1140
Cusco, 08600
Peru
-13.48498, -72.01838
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Area 21 Cusco

Cusco, Peru

miles away

Rodadero Slides

Cusco, Peru

miles away

Sacsayhuamán

Cusco, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cusco

Cusco

Peru

Places 14
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Area 21 Cusco

Cusco, Peru

miles away

Rodadero Slides

Cusco, Peru

miles away

Sacsayhuamán

Cusco, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cusco

Cusco

Peru

Places 14
Stories 1

Related Places

  • UFO

    Cusco, Peru

    Area 21 Cusco

    An extraterrestrial-themed art exhibit makes the perfect place to crash-land while interacting with Andean culture and history.

  • Joseph W. Young Statue

    Hollywood, Florida

    Joseph W. Young Statue

    A wonderfully awkward plastic statue of Hollywood's first mayor that no one can quite explain.

  • A solo closeup

    Muncie, Indiana

    ‘Night Song’

    A Native American man plays a courting flute to woo his love to come and join him.

  • Birds of the World in the skies over Alcorcón

    Alcorcón, Spain

    ‘Birds of the World in the Skies Over Alcorcón’

    The most emblematic piece by a Peruvian master of pop art ended up placed in a modest square in Alcorcón.

  • Bear with me

    Bristol, England

    ‘Bear With Me’

    This beloved piece of street art mysteriously vanished, only to reappear in its original location after some much-needed TLC.

  • Prince Laborets, the founder of Uzhhorod and the builder of the castle. They say that whoever can pull the sword out of the stone will become the owner of the castle. However, this sword has already been pulled out, and the castle is still owned by the state.

    Uzhhorod, Ukraine

    Mini Statues of Uzhhorod

    Over 80 miniature sculptures around Uzhhorod old town that depict Transcarpathian history and culture.

  • Wahpper: The World’s Largest Catfish

    Wahpeton, North Dakota

    Wahpper: The World’s Largest Catfish

    A 5,000-pound fiberglass channel catfish perches on the banks of the Red River, occasionally taking a swim when spring floodwaters rise.

  • The People’s Treasure

    Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

    The People’s Treasure

    Cool Soviet-era public sculpture outside the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences on Chuy Ave.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2026 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.