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.
Visiting Cajamarca
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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