Chachapoyas,
AMAZONAS
Location,
extension and population
| Brief historic
overview |
Principal attractions of Chachapoyas |
Main attractions of the department of Amazonas
|
Typical dishes and beverages |
Tourist calendar  LOCATION,
EXTENSION AND POPULATION
The department of Amazonas is located at the northeastern
part of the country, in the High Jungle or Mountain rim. It
limits to the north with Ecuador, to the south with San Martín
and La Libertad, to the east with Loreto, and to the west
with Cajamarca. Even if it is a predominantly hot area --up
to 40°C (104° F°)--, there are places in the south
of the department, in the mountain range regions, where the
temperature goes down to 02°C (35 F°).
Amazonas has an extension of
41,297 km² (15,940 sq ml), and a population of more than
335,000 people.
The capital
is Chachapoyas, a city, due to its Spanish
influence, of spacious mansions, tile roofs, and big patios
surrounded by orchards, gardens and beautiful balconies.
BRIEF
HISTORIC OVERVIEW
The department of Amazonas was
the home of the Kuélap culture, also called Sachapuyos
o Chachapoyas. This culture developed during the Inca empire,
from 1475, with Inca Túpac Amaru, and its influence
lasted until the beginning of the Spanish colonization.
Being strategically well-located,
the Spanish captain Alonso de Alvarado founded the city of
Chachapoyas on September 5, 1538, becoming since then the
capital of the Peruvian orient. Its influence went from the
right margin of the Marañón river up to the
limits with the frontier countries.
On November 21, 1832, Congress
approved a law turning Amazonas into a department.
Over the years, parts of this
territory were taken to form the departments of Loreto and
San Martín. Nevertheless, Chachapoyas remained as the
operation center in the conquest of the jungle.
PRINCIPAL
ATTRACTIONS OF CHACHAPOYAS
Plaza de Armas
or Main Square. The plaza, built on a perfect square with
a beautiful Colonial style bronze fountain, has a monument
to Peruvian patriot, Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza,
and is surrounded by the house where the patriot was born,
the Cathedral, the Bishopric and the Provincial Town Hall.
 Iglesias
del Señor de Burgos y de Santa Ana. The latter
is the first of its kind built by the Spanish; the former,
houses beautiful Colonial style images.
Pozo de Yanayacu.
A well built by Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo which has become
a legendary site and a fountain of love.
Pampas de Higos Urco.
A historic site where the battle of the same name took place,
before General San Martín proclaimed the Peruvian independence.
There is also a pretty small square built as a memorial.
Grutas de Santa Lucía,
a lovely grotto near the local airport with a beautiful orchid
nursery.
Túneles de San
Antonio. These tunnels are located on the Chachapoyas-Rodríguez
de Mendoza road, with beautiful stone structures forming natural
bridges over the San Antonio river.
The Ocol Palm Forest is another place to visit.
MAIN
ATTRACTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AMAZONAS
Archeological Complex of Yálape. With buildings
on stone mixed with mud, this was a four-hectares urban center
of the Chachapoyas culture built in 1100 AD. Near Yálape
there is another complex, San Pedro de Huallpa, located in
the provinces of Chachapoyas, and with which it related directly.
Macro Quarter.
Near the capital, it is located on the right margin of the
Utcubamba river and dates from the twelfth century. Stone
and mud were used in the construction of the quarter, ornaments
and niches to decorate the walls.
 Luya.
Province were the Kuélap monumental fortress is located,
as well as other important archeological ruins, such as, Revach,
Chipuric, San Antonio, Carajía, Pueblos de los Muertos,
and Gran Vilaya, world known for its fardos funerarios or
funerary packs.
Provincia de Bongará.
The world's most original and beautiful orchids come from
Bongará. Other places to visit include, the Pomacochas
Lagoon and the Corontachaca and Chaquil thermo-medicinal fountains.
It is also natural habitat of a unique and endangered monkey
species, known as Choro de cola amarilla.
Rodríguez de Mendoza.
A province located in the High Jungle, rich in natural sites,
folkloric festivals, and a variety of dishes and typical beverages,
such as, amor peruano ('Peruvian love'), an aguardiente or
brandy.
Bagua, Condorcanqui y
Utcubamba. Home of the Aguaruna and Huambisa tribes.
Fascinating sites for their vast natural resources and for
practicing adventure tourism
TYPICAL
DISHES AND BEVERAGES
The Amazonas gastronomy is varied
and tasty, especially El Boto, which is a banquet consisting
of the attractive presentation of a variety of seasoned birds
set on a large table with bread, guinea pigs, pumpkins, yuccas,
sugar cane, live animals, and liquors, such as, aguardiente
and guarapo.
Other typical dishes are the
shirumbe, purtumute, shipasmute, picante de cuy or guinea
pig with a spicy sauce, cuy or guinea pig with peanuts and
potatoes, juanes de yuca, cesina de res y cerdo or dried and
salted beef and pork, tamales, humitas and locro.
To drink, besides amor peruano,
chicha de jora, chicha de pata, guarapo, chuchuhuasi, milk
liquor, mistela and abejadito.
TOURIST
CALENDAR
February and March.
Carnivals are celebrated in every town according to the custom
of the Jungle, that is, with much water to throw, dances and
liquor.
Holy Week. In
every church in Chachapoyas beautiful pageants are set and
a spirit of meditation prevails. Processions and religious
acts take place throughout the department.
May 3. Fiesta
de las Cruces. Traditional festivity with celebrations in
every city and town.
June 6. Anniversary
of the Battle Higos Urco. This date commemorates the heroic
deeds of Chachapoyas city in the struggle for independence
in 1821.
July 29. Fiesta
Patronal de la Virgen del Carmen in the district of Leymebamba,
province of Chachapoyas.
August 15. Fiestas
Patronales de la Virgen de Asunta, with the participation
of the whole town. This festivity is part of the touristic
season which includes, religious, cultural, recreative and
social activities.
September 5.
Anniversary of Chachapoyas. In Rodríguez de Mendoza,
the town celebrates on this day the Fiesta Patronal de San
Nicolás; in Lamud, the Fiesta Patronal del Señor
de Gualamita.
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