Location
Central Coast, 406 meters above sea level (1,332
feet)
Distances
325 Km (202 miles) from Lima
75 Km (46.6 miles) Paracas
135 Km (84 miles) Nazca
Population
267,540
inhabitants
Weather:
The desert of Ica was inhabited by great pre- Inca civilizations with Nazca and Paracas.
Ica was founded in 1536 by the Spanish Jerónimo de Cabrera. He gave
Ica the name of "Villa de Valverde". The city was in the middle of a
fertile valley. Before its foundation, the Spaniards planted grapes brought from
Canary Islands (Spain).
Ica was the first city in "Nueva Castilla" (Peru in the Viceroyalty
times) where wine and grape liquor were produced, and from this point they were
exported to all the Spanish colonies in America. They used the port of Pisco
(Ica) to embark the grape liquor, giving origin to the name of one of the most
famous liquors prepared in Peru, Pisco.
Nowadays the city continues being a very pleasant one, among sand deserts and
huarangos (variety of tree) and with a wonderful weather. Ica is
recommended as an initial point before visiting the Nazca Lines and the Paracas National Reserve.
Visiting Ica
Huacachina
Small lagoon
located at 5 Km from Ica. Surrounded by sand dunes, a palm oasis with huarangos
and beautiful houses around the shore. Ideal place for relax. By the ends of the
XIX century Huacachina was practically uninhabited, until the Italian Angela
Perotti rediscovered the medical properties of water and sand of the lagoon,
specially for the cure of skin and rheumatism illnesses.
You may find comfortable lodges, restaurants, casinos and discos that will
make your trip enjoyable.
Museo Regional de
Ica
Location: Calle Lima 4th block
It has a big collection
of archaeological pieces from the regional cultures Nazca, Paracas and
Inca.
Out stand funeral mummies and looms from Paracas, craniums with
presence of surgery and deformed skulls, this remains show the high technology
in surgery reached by the ancient Peruvian civilizations. It also has
collections from the colony, independence and republican times.
Wine Cellars
Ica is very
famous because of its wine and Pisco (grape liquor); a good alternative for your
trip could be a visit to the wine cellars of Vista Alegre, Tacama, Ocucaje and
the artisan ones.
Iglesia de Luren
This
religious sanctuary contains the venerated image of "Señor de
Luren", the one that was redeem from a shipwreck in 1570 in front of the
coasts of Ica, coming from Spain. Señor de Luren patron of Ica,
congregates each year thousands of pilgrims during the Holy Week and the third
Monday of October in traditional processions. Devote people attribute miracles
to the Lord.
The catholic devotion in Ica also has expressions of pilgrimage to the
Sanctuary of Yauca, where the image of the Virgin of Yauca is venerated. Also
venerated the "Beatita de Humay" and the "Melchorita" in the
towns of Humay and Grocio Prado.
Cachiche
Famed town located
at 4 km of Ica, it is well known because of the witches that cure illnesses from
popular believes. If you visit Cachiche do not forget to see the statue of a
witch laid on a Huarango tree.
Photo Gallery