The heart of the Andes is dominated by two great cultures: the Wari and the Chancas. Later transformed into a military center by the Incas and converted into a Spanish city for the exploitation of silver and mercury, Huancavelica has many faces, proudly displayed in the archaeological sites, temples, and mansions of the town center. A past surrounded by a pleasant natural environment of healthy hot springs, fertile lands, lagoons, and snow-capped mountains. What are you waiting for?
One of the first places you should visit upon arrival in Huancavelica is its Main Square. In the center of the square, you'll find a granite stone pool, its main feature. Built in 1862, it's a good place to stop and buy a few things in the nearby shops.
The San Cristobal hot springs are located in a nearby area, on the slopes of the Sierra de Potoqchi, near the city of Huancavelica. These hot springs are part of a tourist complex that typically receives a large number of tourists.
The Puyas de Raimondi are considered one of the rarest plants on the planet. They are located in the community of Callqui, known as Ccallanapucro, 14 km from the center of Huancavelica. They bloom only once, and they grow to over 10 meters in height, where there are more than 1,500 seedlings of this species.
Its construction dates back to 1662. The architecture of this church is primarily Renaissance in design, as can be seen in the sketch of the façade. Compared to the first, its side is a tower. The second structure is composed of two main bodies and a finished arch. Its characteristic is that as it rises, the area of its parts decreases considerably.
Located in Bolognesi Square, it was built in 1777. Its interior features Baroque altarpieces, carved in wood and covered in gold leaf. In Ricardo Palma's "Peruvian Traditions," he mentions that a Franciscan priest hanged himself in one of the convent's cells. According to him, he goes out for walks at night and rings the church bells.
This church was built just 30 years after the city's founding and is one of the oldest colonial buildings. Architecturally, it has a Baroque appearance that makes it very attractive to tourists.
This mercury mine was discovered in 1571 with the help of an indigenous chieftain; The exploitation of Peru's silver deposits improved considerably, making it the starting point of the "famous mercury route." However, due to the arduous nature of the work, it was known as the mine of death. At the main entrance, you can see a coat of arms of the Spanish crown engraved in stone.
Located in the Huaytará district, it is known as the "House of the Incas" or "Inca Palace." It is considered the most important building in the entire region. Incahuasi is surrounded by plazas, palaces, warehouses, canals, residential areas, and buildings with astronomical objectives. It is only open from April to September.
Located 24 km from Huancavelica, it is an important center for religious and astronomical observation. One of these sites features an exceptional reflecting pool on the platform, which allows users to track the movements of the sun and moon. There is also an area dedicated to agricultural work with a miniature terrace. Entry is only permitted between May and October.
It is located in the Huaytará district, 338 km away. Its main attraction is the temple of the same name. It was built by order of the Inca Pachacútec during the conquest of the Chincha civilization in the 15th century. The complex is located below the Church of San Juan Bautista and is built with granite stone. It is divided into two sections: the Inca Palace and the Inca Baths.
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