It was built by the Spaniards right on top of the Incan temple of Qoricancha, "Temple of the Sun", when they took over the city.

Qoricancha (also spelled Qorickancha and Koricancha) was the most opulent of all the Incan temples. Thousands of priests lived here surrounded by gold lined walls with solid gold figures and a massive solid gold sun disc.

The cost to enter the Santo Domingo / Qoricancha site is 6 soles or about $2 USD per adult.

Visitors are permitted Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and on Sundays from 2 PM to 5 PM.