About Cajamarca
Cajamarca is the capital of the department of Cajamarca and it is located in a
beautiful and bucolic Andean countryside in the valley with the same name.
The history of Cajamarca
begins with the
pre-Inca civilization named Caxamarca, that had in this valley its cultural
center until it was dominated by the
Inca empire which built an important city, in the same that the Inca
Atahualpa and the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro encountered on November
16th, 1532; important date that began with the decline of the Incas empire and
the beginning of the conquest, Spaniard colonization and the trans-culture.
The importance of the
pre-Hispanic and colonial monuments, have been worth this city to be declared as
"America Heritage Site" by UNESCO.
You will be able to visit
the famous "Cuarto del Rescate" (Ransom Room) the one that Atahualpa filled with
silver and gold in exchange of his liberation from Pizarro. Beautiful and intact
colonial churches also exist, and very near the city you can see the colossal
megalithic constructions of the caxamarcas, picturesque towns and places around
a beautiful Andean landscape.
The remarkable Architect
Héctor Velarde said "conquerors and Indians left in Cajamarca elegant large
houses of cavalier lines and of fine and luxurious finish. As all the northern
cities of the mountains, this is more Spanish than indigenous, it is perhaps the
most Spanish of all, but a touch of indigenous spirit can be captured in the
earth and colors of the city."
Cajamarca has its biggest
popular expression in the Carnivals, taken place as in any other city of Peru.
Carnival time in Cajamarca is among the most famous festivals in February or
March in Peru. The townspeople are an easy-going, amiable folk, and carnival
time involves entire neighborhoods and institutions until the end of the
festival, when the participants symbolically bury Ño Carnavalón, the king of the
carnival. The celebrations go on for around a month, but there are eight main
days, when participants are often doused with water.
At the moment it is an
enterprising city which economic activities are based on agriculture, cattle
raising and the mining -extraction of gold and copper-, besides having very good
artisans.
Unlike other Andean cities,
its population doesn't have much influence of the ethnic group Quechua, and most
of them are descendents of the Spanish miscegenation. The typical peasant
dressed in red "poncho", hat of straw of wide wing, sandals like footwear and
carrying saddlebags knitted in linen.
Cajamarca Guide
Archaeological Sites in Cajamarca: The Caxamarca civilization
flourished in the valley Cajamarca and they developed big megalithic
constructions, some of influence
Tiahuanaco
and
Chavín. There are registered 90 archaeological places, among those the
outstanding Cumbemayo, the Ventanillas de Otuzco and Combamayo. Since Inca times
and with a lot of historical value the "Cuarto del Rescate" (Ransom Room) and
"Baños del Inca" (Inca bathing place).
Historical Center of Cajamarca: Churches and colonial large houses,
conserved almost intact are an alive museum that waits for the visitor.
Through the churches you will be able to appreciate the biggest architectural
and artistic wealth in the Spanish colonization, with beautiful facades and
great sculptural wealth in its interior. The main places are the Cathedral,
Plaza de Armas (main square), The Complejo de Belen and his museum, The Church
of San Francisco and his museum, the Ransom Room and Cerro Santa Apolonia in
this hilltop you can overlook the city and appreciate the "Seat of the Inca"
(pre-Hispanic carved rock), and visit many handcraft shops when climb or descent
the hill.
Museums in Cajamarca: Cajamarca counts with modest museums like
the "Museo Etnografico y de Arquelogia" (Ethnographic and Archaeological Museum)
located in the old Hospital of Women and the Medical Museum located in the old
Hospital of Males, both inside in the Complejo Monumental de Belen (XVII
Century) open daily 9 AM-noon and 3-5 PM. The Museo de Arte Religioso (Museum of
Religious Art) open Mon-Fri 2-5 PM, entrance charge.
Around Cajamarca: There are diverse places that offer a
variety possibility to enjoy their charms, in the countryside of Cajamarca you
can visit the forest of stones Los Frailones (The Friars) in the same place of
Cumbemayo, the hydrangea gardens, the town of artisans of Aylambo and places
where you can appreciate beautiful Andean landscapes. North of the city is
Granja Porcón (Porcon Farm), a dairy farm where travelers can take part in
farming chores. Or the hacienda La Colpa is a famous farm for its herd of cows
which are still called by name at milking time.
Recommended Tourist Circuits:
-
Cumbemayo and The Friars (full day)
-
Ventanillas de Otuzco and Hydrangea Gardens (half day)
-
Granja Porcón (full day)
-
Historical Center, Santa Apolonia Hill and handicrafts (half day)
- Inca bathing place,
Hacienda La Colpa and Llacanora (half day)
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