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Main Square of the City of Ayacucho

Posted On: 06 March 2024 #TierrasVivas 622

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.

 

The nerve center of the heart of the department and the city of Ayacucho, the Plaza de Armas is the largest square in Peru and is surrounded by a set of buildings that have been maintained over time since the 16th and 17th centuries. Many experts consider that the harmony of its elements makes it an authentic Spanish plaza in Latin America.

 

Dominated by a monument to the Grand Marshal of Ayacucho, General Antonio José de Sucre, it is colloquially called Plaza de Sucre. Gardens have been designed around the equestrian statue. The shields of the five Latin American nations have been sculpted on the grass: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

 

Surrounded by four portals, the Unión, the Independencia, the Independencia and the Municipality, it concentrates the center of the civic life of the department. Its south side is occupied by the main building of the National University of San Cristóbal de Huamanga, founded in 1540 and considered the second oldest in Peru.

 

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.

Best Trekking and Tours in Peru

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

 

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.

Edwin Caviedes Profesional guide

Edwin Caviedes is the founder and manager of Tierras Vivas, a company that benefits native people communities.