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Plaza Mayor of the City of Ayacucho

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Plaza Mayor of the City of Ayacucho

The buildings that surround the square correspond to the 16th and 17th centuries. They are characterized by stone arches on the first level, pillars with balusters on the second level and red clay tile roofs.

 

On the perimeter there are whitewashed mansions or houses with exposed white stone, as well as the headquarters of the Municipality of Ayacucho, the Government of Ayacucho, the Superior Court of Justice and the National University of Huamanga.

 

Casa Boza y Solís Colonial mansion from the 17th century in a mestizo style. Inside is the cell in which the hero of independence, María Parado de Bellido, was confined for three days, before being shot. Located at the Constitución 15 portal, Plaza Mayor. Visits: Monday-Friday 8:00 - 13:00 / 15:00 - 17:00 h.

 

General information

The Plaza de Armas is surrounded by the Unión portal, the Constitución portal, the Independence portal and the Municipality portal. It is surrounded by buildings that mostly date from the 16th and 17th centuries. It is the largest square with monuments of great historical and architectural value in Peru. It has a level of harmony that unites all its components and is made in the style of the squares of Spain, such as those of Mérida and Trujillo.

 

The buildings that surround the square are true works of baroque architecture; with stone arches and red clay roofs that are colorful from any angle. It is the only one in Peru with portals consisting of stone columns and arches, on all four sides. The east side has sixteen arches, while the south side has thirty-two, the west side has thirty and the north has thirty and three.

 

The perimeter of the square is made up of houses made of white stone, which serve as the headquarters of important institutions such as the City Hall, the Cathedral, the Prefecture, the Superior Court and the facilities of the San Cristóbal de Huamanga University.

 

The monument located in the center of the square was erected in honor of the Grand Marshal of Ayacucho, Antonio José de Sucre, which is surrounded by the coats of arms of the Bolivarian countries. In the 1990s, it was remodeled with the addition of two water fountains on the east and west sides.

 

Churches and convents

The city of Ayacucho has thirty-three Catholic churches, which makes it a very interesting religious destination for Christians. Each of these temples (the oldest was built in 1540) has a relic, work of art or a legend. The temple of Santo Domingo, built in 1548, and the church of San Francisco de Paula, built in 1713, show the evolution of the style of their builders. The temple of Santo Domingo has Romanesque and Byzantine arches. The church of San Francisco de Asís has Greco-Roman facades with images in relief. The Compañía de Jesús temple has baroque interiors.

 

What to see and do in the square? Why visit it?

Beautiful and gallant, the Plaza de Armas de Huamanga is a good place to experience the daily life of the city. You will see the inhabitants of this area of ??the country going to their different jobs, and the city's grandparents sitting on the benches commenting on the news of the day.

 

Admire the buildings and constructions. The buildings that surround the square are almost 400 years old. On the eastern side of the square is the beautiful Ayacucho Cathedral, the main temple of the city and one of the 33 Catholic churches in the city.

 

Try the Puka Picante. It is considered the main dish of Ayacucho cuisine and is composed of potatoes, beets, toasted and ground peanuts. They serve it with white rice and pork rinds. One variety changes the pig for guinea pig.

 

Observe the monument to Sucre. It is the tribute that the city has paid to the Venezuelan soldier Antonio José de Sucre, it was unveiled in 1924 during the commemorative events of the centenary of the Battle of Ayacucho.

 

Enjoy the Muyuchi. In the doorways around the square you will see several women, in typical local dress, preparing a drink by rotating a steel pot over a bowl of ice and water. They are mixing milk, coconut and sesame seeds to prepare Muyuchi, a delicious artisanal ice cream.

 

How to get to the square?

The Plaza de Armas of Ayacucho is in the center of the city. The north side borders the Cuzco jirón, to the south is the Lima jirón, to the west is the 28 de Julio jirón, and to the east is the 2 de Mayo jirón. As the nerve center of the city, all public transport routes pass through it.

 

There are also several tourism companies around the square that offer different tours to the attractions near Ayacucho. Many of the hotels are very close to the square.

 

Recommendations:

  • Long sleeves and a hat are always useful to protect yourself from the sun. It is also recommended to use sunscreen.
  • Enjoy Ayacucho cuisine. Around the square you will find different places. You will also find offers in the Jirón Assembly, between the San Cristóbal cultural center and the San Agustín temple.
  • Talk to the Huamanguinos. The people of Ayacucho are attentive and helpful. Talking to them will give you an extra dimension of city life.
  • Enter the colonial temples. Both the Ayacucho cathedral and the temple of San Agustín are directly on the square. The cathedral, in baroque style, is an example of the importance of the city during the colonial period.

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