Huánuco,
HUANUCO
Location,
extension and population
| Brief historic
outline |
Main attractions of the capital city |
Main attractions of the department of Huánuco
|
Typical dishes and beverages |
Tourist calendar  LOCATION,
EXTENSION AND POPULATION
The department of Huanuco is located in the center oriental
region of Perú. It has a rough topography comprising
parts of the Sierra and the High Jungle (mountain rim) regions.
Being equidistant from the north and the south of the country,
it has the privilege of having a mild weather with an average
annual temperature of 20°C (68° F). It limits with
the departments of San Martín, Ucayali, Ancash, Pasco
and Lima.
Huánuco has an extension
of 35,315 km² (13,635 sq ml.) and a population of over
600,000 people.
The capital city is Huánuco.
Other principal cities are Tingo María, Dos de Mayo,
Ambo, Leoncio Prado y Pachitea.
 BRIEF
HISTORIC OUTLINE
This department is important for
its geographical location, history, and for the richness of
its land, where the presence of man goes back to ancient times.
El Hombre de Lauricocha (Man of Lauricocha) is among
the most distinctive examples, dating from 10,000 BC, as well
as Kotosh, where vestiges of the oldest settlement
in America (4,200 BC) took place.
Several ethnic groups inhabited
this region. However, after a severe resistance, they started
to incorporate as part of the Inca empire. Huánuco
then became the obliged route Cusco-Cajamarca-Cusco. The citadel
of Huánuco Pampa or Huánuco Marca
is evidence of this transit.
Huánuco city was founded
by the Spanish conquerors on August 15, 1539, under the name
of Huánuco de los Caballeros. During Colonial
times, it was a very active city, where important writers
of Spanish descent dwelled.
In the beginning of the nineteenth
century, during the emancipation, Huánuco was one of
the first cities to promote the independence of Perú.
Moreover, a first oath takes place in this city on December
15, 1820, after several uprisings in Huamalpies, Huallanca
and Ambo.
MAIN
ATTRACTIONS OF THE CAPITAL CITY
Plaza de Armas or Main Square.
It has a beautiful central fountain, built in 1845 from of
a single piece of stone 4 mt (13 ft) high.
Cathedral. Also in the
main square, it holds a collection of paintings of the Cusco
School.
 Churches.
San Francisco, Cristo Rey, San Sebastián, La Merced
and San Cristóbal, some of which were built in the
sixteenth century. They house beautiful architectural jewels,
unique images, carved wood and gilded altars.
Museum of Natural Sciences.
It exhibits more than 5,000 objects, such as, stuffed animals,
huacos and ceramics of different regions.
Kotosh, a 4,000 year-old
archeological site. Most outstanding is the Templo de las
Manos Cruzadas or Crossed Hands Temple, the first piece
of sculpture in the continent, molded below one of the niches
surrounding the room.
Andabamba. The house of
a Colonial hacienda located at 8 km (12 ml) south of
Huánuco, which had served as residence for the Franciscan
Order.
Quicacan. Located in this
town is a large colonial mansion that served as a cloister
monastery. Its fine design includes a beautiful arcade that
blends with the surrounding landscape.
Tomayquichua (2,000 m.a.s.l.
or 6,500 ft). Located at 19 km (30 ml) from the capital, this
town was the birthplace of the famous lover of Viceroy Amat,
Micaela Villegas, known as La Perricholi.
Huácar. A town
of tropical climate, at 29 km (46 ml) from Huánuco,
it holds one of the first churches built in the region, San
Miguel Arcángel, dated in 1600.
MAIN
ATTRACTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUNIN
Tingo María.
This beautiful province at 139 km (224 ml) from Huánuco
and 680 m.a.s.l. (2,220 ft), is located at the border of the
Huallaga river. It is surrounded by a chain of mountains known
as La Bella Durmiente or Sleeping Beauty, because it
comes into view as the profile of a beautiful young woman
laying on her back.
 La
Cueva de las Lechuzas. This cave is located at the skirts
of the Bella Durmiente mountain chain at 11 km (16
ml) from Tingo María. It is a gigantic limestone cave
that houses an important colony of birds, known as the guacharos
or santanas, which look like owls.
El Boquerón del Padre
Abad. This narrow river canyon, covered with vegetation
and surrounded by beautiful water falls is located at 196
km (315 ml) from Tingo María.
La Cueva de las Pavas.
At 15 km (24 ml) from Tingo María, this cave tracks
the end of a profound and narrow gorge, where a stream flows
creating small beaches and ponds surrounded by an exuberant
vegetation.
Capricho. An archeological
complex along the route to Tingo María.
Huanuco Pampa. Archeological
ruins, known as the rascacielos pre-colombinos or pre-Columbian
skyscrapers, divided into four distinct quarters.
TYPICAL
DISHES AND BEVERAGES
There is a great variety of gastronomic
specialties in Huánuco. Among the most well known dishes
are, picante de cuy (guinea pig in hot pepper sauce),
pachamanca (barbecue) de chancho, pato enterrado,
chivo perseguido, picante de queso picante de carne,
locro de gallina, sancochado, charqui con
mote, chicharrón de mote, fried trout,
humitas, tamales, picante de paltas, and
sheep head broth.
The most tasty desserts and sweets
are, las chancaquitas, prestiños, alfeñiques
and corn bread.
To drink, Huanuqueños
serve is chicha de jora and chicha de maní,
guarapo de caña, aguardiente and, of
course, their wonderful coffee.
TOURIST
CALENDAR
January 6.
Pascua de Reyes (The Adoration of the Magi). Music
and dancing until dawn, celebrating the arrival of the Magi.
Carnavales. (Carnivals).
This is a celebration that takes place everywhere in the department,
and goes on for several days and nights. The Huanuqueños
joyfully dance through the streets in groups joining the masquerades.
Festivities include the cortaárboles (tree cutting),
floats, parades and the election of the Carnival Queen.
Holy Week. Every town
honors this date with silence and retreat. The churches are
widely opened, processions take place, and in several towns,
the people in mourning, wear black.
May 1. Fiesta del Señor
de Chacos, patron of the town of San Rafael in the province
of Ambo.
May 3. Fiesta de la
Cruz de Mayo, celebrated in Huánuco.
July 16. Fiesta de
la Virgen del Carmen.
July 28 and 29. Independence
Day, celebrated with parades of folk groups, fireworks
and popular dances.
August 10. Fiesta de
San Lorenzo, in Colpas, a town near the capital city.
August 12 through 18.
Huánuco Tourist Week. During this week, the
city of Huánuco celebrates the anniversary of the city.
Parades, floats, a music festival with national and foreign
artists, and several other cultural, social and sports events
are included.
October 13 through 19.
Tingo María Tourist Week. Parades, music festivals,
and dances are included as part of the anniversary celebrations.
October 27 through 29.
Fiesta del Señor de Burgos, patron of Huánuco.
While taken in procession, festivals and dances take place
in his honor.
December 25. Christmas
celebration with the participation of the Cofradía
de los Negritos. |
