Cumbe Mayo (in Quechua language
that means fine river)
Located 21 km (13 miles) south west of Cajamarca, the highway that leads to it is
half asphalted and the other half is not.
This archaeological deposit belongs to the Caxamarca culture (XI Century), the biggest
megalithic construction in America, covers an area of 25,000 sq/mt. There exist
a fortress, sanctuaries and caves with stone carvings.
Outstanding the water channels, considered as the maximum expression in
hydraulic engineering. The aqueduct is channel finely carved in rock, with more
than 1 km (0.62 miles) length and 1.5 m. (4.92 feet) gradient, traced forming
borders and straight angles to control flow speed, avoiding the water to return
and also the erosion.
Los Frailones (stony forest) is very
close to it.
Ventanillas de
Otuzco
Archaeological center of the Caxamarca culture, located 8 km. (4,9
miles) north east of Cajamarca. Is a big necropolis of megalithic construction;
the graves had been sculpted in the rock, superposed one on top of the other and
protected against the rain with narrow channels.
There are also galleries of graves that have 10 m. depth. Some rocks are
carved with animal shapes.
Ventanillas de
Combamayo
Archaeological center of the Caxamarca culture, located 25 km. (15.5
miles) north east of Cajamarca, their characteristics are similar as the ones
described in Ventanillas de Otuzco.
"Cuarto del Rescate"
(Rescue Room)
After the encounter between Inca Atahualpa and the Spanish
Conqueror Francisco Pizarro and his army on November 16th , 1532, Atahualpa was
arrested and imprisoned in his own royal room. The Spaniards with hunger of
wealth, offer Atahualpa´s freedom in exchange of gold. Atahualpa offered
to fill the room with gold once and twice with silver as high as his extended
hand could reach, and so he did. He collected the gold and silver from all over
Tahuantinsuyo. Anyway, Pizarro ordered
the execution of the Inca. This wealthy rescue is considered the most important
ever paid in the human history.
The room in which all this happened, today called "Cuarto de
Rescate" (Rescue Room), was destroyed by the Spaniards, by the ends of XIX
century and rebuilt at its original way, with ashlar and trapezoidal graves. It
is located at Amalia Street No. 750, two blocks next to the Main Plaza.
Baños del Inca
(Inca's Baths)
Located 5 km. (3.1 miles) east of Cajamarca, at the
district of the same name. This is a place of warm medicinal springs, in which
the Inca built pools and rooms for healing and resting. Being one of those for
the exclusive use of the Inca, that still now is well preserved.
In the areas around of "Baños del Inca", you may find
contemporary constructions to obtain the benefits of the medical springs as a
watering place.