Cajamarca
A
beautiful colonial town, the capital of the Department
of Cajamarca. Can be reached by road via Pacasmayo,
North of Trujillo. Cajamarca (Cold Land in Quechua),
was one of the biggest cities of the Inca Empire.
The climate is mild during the day, but it can
get rather cold at night. The rainy season is
from November to March. Cajamarca is now one of
the most important milk producers of the country,
with excellent quality of their dairy products,
like cheese, butter, etc.
Churches & Important Sights
The Cathedral
Opened in 1776, was built on an Inca foundation.
With a beautiful baroque façade of volcanic
stone. It is still missing its towers in protest
against a Spanish tax to the completion of a
church.
San Francisco
Located in the Plaza de Armas. Built in the
eighteen century, It contains beautiful works
of the Cusco and Quito's school of art.
The Plaza de Armas
Where the Inca Atahualpa was executed, it is
considered to be one of the largest in Peru.
It has a 350-year-old beautiful fountain.
Cuarto de Rescate (Ransom Room)
Amalia Puga 750, beside San Francisco Church.
A reconstruction of the room where Atahualpa
was held prisoner. The Inca reached up and agreed
to fill the room to a line on the wall with
gold and silver treasures. Atahualpa fulfilled
his promise, but he was executed just the same.
Baños del Inca
Sulphur Thermal Springs 6 Km from Cajamarca,
with temperatures that can be controlled. It
offers group and individual baths, sauna and
even lodging.
Ventanillas de Otuzco
An archaeological site, 8 Km North of Cajamarca.
It is part of an old Inca burial ground.
Cumbe Mayo
Archaeological site, 20 Km South East of Cajamarca.
Considered to be the oldest man made construction
in South America. Contains three monument groups:
The Caves, The Sanctuary and the Aqueducts (famous
well engineered pre-Inca channels).
Ventanillas de Combayo
About 20 Km passing the burial niches of Otuzco.
It is a Pre-Inca necropolis with tombs in niches
carved in the rock, in larger amount and more
spectacular than Otuzco.
Museums
Education Faculty of the University
Del Batan 283, shows objects of the Cajamarca
Culture, not seen in Lima. Open 8:00-12m 3:00
pm - 5:00 pm
Archaeological Museum
With ceramics from all regions and civilizations
of Peru, located 100 meters from the Belen Church.
Casa Museo Mario Urteaga
2 de Mayo 777, Contains beautiful paintings
of Mario Urteaga, a famous local painter.
