After 1600 due to the eruption of the volcano Huaynaputina was destroyed many churches in the city, Bishop Antonio Raya took place in the construction of the Church and monastery of Santa Catalina (St. Catherine) in Cuzco. Its first building was built in 1643. But after 7 years, the earthquake destroyed the temple. It was restored with changes in 1669.

The appearance of the temple contrasts with the decorative richness of the interior. The side walls of the temple is decorated with lots of paintings on the life of St. Catherine of Siena, the work of artist Juan Espinosa de Los Monteros 1669. The same period dates back to the large canvas, signed Lorenzo Sanchez de Medina, representing the Dominican saints, including Saint Rose of Lima, recently canonized. In addition, the temple is decorated with magnificent pulpit, carved from cedar, and four Baroque Golden altar is the work of local artisans around the mid-seventeenth century.

An important part of the monastery is the art Museum, which is open to visitors. Here you can see the recently restored frescoes and part of the vast monastery of the gallery, a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life of the nuns. In addition, you can see various works of art illustrating the life and miracles of Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Dominic de Guzman, a collection of nine robes, richly embroidered with gold thread and precious stones. Presented in the Museum exhibits belong to different periods from the XVI to the XX century. The Museum exposition was updated in 2008-2009.

In the monastery of St. Catherine currently live thirteen nuns. Their cells are located in the buildings behind the temple. Since colonial times the nuns of the monastery of St. Catherine, were known for their skilled work, embroidered liturgical vestments, beautiful bedding with images of saints and delicious cakes.