Housed in the impressive Admirals Palace, this museum contains artifacts designed to trace Peruvian history from pre-Inca civilizations and Inca culture, including the impact of the Conquest and colonial times on the native cultures. On view are ceramics, textiles, jewelry, mummies, architectural models, and an interesting collection — reputed to be the world’s largest — of Inca drinking vessels (qeros) carved out of wood, many meticulously painted.
The museum is a good introduction to Inca culture, and there are explanations in English. The palace itself is one of Cusco’s finest colonial mansions, with a superbly ornate portal indicating the importance of its owner; the house was built on top of yet another Inca palace at the beginning of the 17th century. In the courtyard is a studio of women weaving traditional textiles. Allow 1 1/2 to 2 hours to see the entire collection.