The Main Square
The actual
plazas occupies the same place as the great triangular plaza of the Inca times.
In the center exists an ornamental pile that dates of 1562 and was located
in the same place where the Inca Atahualpa was executed. Around it you can see
the City Hall, the Cathedral and San Francisco´s Church, among
others.
Colonial Houses
When walking
downtown you will find beautiful fronts of colonial houses, there are 104 fronts
registrated. Outstanding the house of the Count de Uceda and the one of Toribio
Casapaza.
"El Cuarto de
Rescate" (Rescue Room)
Located in Amalia Puga street N°
750.
The Churches
The most important are characterized by their imposing fronts, richly carved
in volcanic stone; you can appreciate that some of them don't have their towers
finished, and this was on purpose since the curia could continue this way
receiving subsidies and it avoided the payment of taxes to the crown of Spain.
The Cathedral
Also called
"Iglesia de Santa Catalina" (Church of Santa Catalina), built
between 1682 and 1762, of beautiful front, abundant in arches and finely carved
stone columns, its interior is austere with churrigueresque altars. Located in
front of the Main Plaza.
"Iglesia de San
Francisco" (San Francisco´s Church)
Also called
"Iglesia de San Antonio" (Church of San Antonio) (XVI Century) it is
an architectural jewel, temple of plateresque Baroque style. It was one of the
first churches built by the Spaniards in Peru. Its front of finely carved stone,
with three entrance doors, in its interior outstands its altars and pictorial
works. It is located in front of the Main Plaza and in front of the Cathedral.
"Capilla de la Virgen de los
Dolores" (Chapel of Virgin de los Dolores)
Located to
one side of "Iglesia de San Francisco" (San Francisco's Church), its
interior is a jewel of sculpture. It has an image of "Virgen de la
Soledad" (Virgin of the Soledad) that is highly venerated in Cajamarca.
Under its bigger altar exist catacombs of prehispanic origin.
"Iglesia de Belen"
(Church of Belen)
Concluded in 1744 by José Morales, it has one of the
most beautiful fronts, carved in stone, with columns, arches, vaults and
statues. It is a church of a single nave, and in its interior the most important
thing is the dome carved in stone with polychromed figures.
"Iglesia La Recoleta"
(Church The Recoleta)
Beautiful Baroque temple built between 1668 and 1678,
possesses a single nave and three cloisters. Its front differs from the other
churches of Cajamarca. The artistic wealth of its interior was sacked during the
"Guerra del Pacífico" (Pacific War)
(1879-83).