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| PUNO |
| *Location,
Altitude, Area and Population
*Brief Historical Outline
*Tourist Attractions
*Climate, Weather and Seasonal Information
*Routes and Means of Access
*Typical and Local Cuisine
*Calendar of Festivities and Tourist Events
Conventional |
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| ALTITUDE,
AREA AND POPULATION |
The
Department of Puno is located in the southeastern area of Peru. It
border on the north with Madre de Dios, in the south with Tacna, on
the east with Bolivia and on the west with Cusco, Arequipa and Moquegua.
It has an area of 72,382 km2 and a population of approximately 1,000,000
inhabitants. The departmental capital is the city of Puno, situated
on the shores of Lake Titicaca at an altitude of 3,827 meters above
sea level. Up |
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| HISTORICAL
OUTLINE |
In
ancient times, the highland plateau of the Collao (comprising present
day Puno and parts of western Bolivia) was inhabited by various groups
of the belonging Aymara ethnic and linguistic stock (Collas, Zapanas,
Kallahuallas and Lupacas). The Quechuas were to appear much later
upon the scene. According to the chronicler Garcilazo de la Vega,
the birth from the waters of Lake Titicaca –the mythical founders
of the Inca empire- and their sojourn to Cusco would be indicative
of this migration. The most important pre-Inca and pre-Hispanic group
was that of the Aymaras or Putinas. However the area contiguous to
the lake is abundant in ancient remains, including the great ruins
of Tiahuanaco, on the Bolivian side. From this center the Tiahuanaco
Culture (associated with the Wari culture of Peru) spread all over
the Andes and its era (500 B.C.- 700 A.D.) is generally considered
as the “Middle Horizon#” of Andean Culture. After the
end of that period, a “Late Intermediate Period” ensued,
characterized by warring local groups until the area was conquered
by the Incas from Cusco in the XV century, in what is termed as the
-brief in duration- “Late, or Inca, Horizon”.
Shortly after the Spanish conquest came the discovery of the great
silver mines of Potosí, in present day Bolivia but in those
days within the boundaries of the Viceroyalty of Peru. This made the
circum-lake Titicaca region an obligatory passage way and transit
route for both the silver and silver ore as well as for the necessary
supplies and equipment needed for the operation of the mines at Potosí.
In the year 1668, the Viceroy of Peru, Count of Lemos, ordered the
institution of the town of San Juan Bautista de Puno as administrative
capital of the region of Paucarcolla. The name was subsequently changed
to San Carlos de Puno in honor of the reigning Spanish monarch Carlos
II (Charles II). Colonial rule was characterized by the area’s
importance as the transit point of the treasures extracted from Postosí
on their way to Lima. And also by the strong and intense influence
of the Jesuit order, which gained special administrative status over
a series of old Aymara cities and towns along the southern shore of
the lake and carried out there a vast project of Church building and
implementation of mestizo art schools until the expulsion of the Jesuit
Order in 1767.
In the 1780’s it rose in rebellion against Spanish rule, along
with most of southern Peru, under the leadership of Tupac Amaru II.
That rebellion was defeated and almost 50 years later –after
a generation of changing hands between patriots and royalists- its
final deliverance from Spanish rule came in 1824 with Simon Bolivar’s
final triumph and liberation of Perú. But it came at the cost
of the creation of a separately constituted sovereign state on the
eastern shore of Lake Titicaca, which was named “Bolivia”
in honor of the Liberator Bolivar. Thus, a cultural and ethnological
space which had existed since time immemorial became arbitrarily divided
into two separate “countries” by the whims of politics
and the self centered ideas of men who were foreign to the region
and its realities. A short-lived (1834-39) “Peru-Bolivian Confederation”
ensued –comprising Bolivia and southern Perú- but it
was eventually defeated by the joint effort of Lima and the coastal
departments of Perú, aided by Chile (the beginnings of a systematic
encroachment by Chile which was to culminate in the war of the pacific
in the 1880’s and the losses of Antofagasta by Bolivia and of
Iquique and Arica by Perú).
In the 1860’s and ‘70’s, steamships –built
in England and transported in parts and pieces on mule back over the
Andes, to be finally assembled in Puno- began to operate a trans-lake
Titicaca route. This coincided with the establishment of the Puno-Arequipa
railroad in 1870 and so Puno was linked to the sea but became -for
a period of time at least- an economic satellite of Arequipa, which
by then (mid XIX century) had become the main economic and cultural
axis of this part of the country. Today, Puno is a major commercial
and economic center of southern Peru. It is linked both to Cusco and
Arequipa by railway and paved motor road. It possesses an important
wool (particularly Alpaca) industry, a strong agricultural and cattle
production base, shipyards and fish processing and canning infrastructure.
The predominant ethnic group remains Aymara, but along the lake shore
inhabits the Uros, a native ethnic group of great antiquity, which
support a thriving handicraft industry that represents a significant
part in the economic development and income of the region. Up |
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| TOURÍST
ATTRACTIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUNO |
| IN-TOWN
ATTRACTIONS |
La
Catedral – The Cathedral. Located in the Plaza de
Armas. It was build in the XVIII century by the Peruvian architect
Simón de Asto, This is one of the few constructions from
that era that conserves upon its main portal an inscription bearing
the name of its builder. The style is baroque and it represents
a distinct example of local mestizo architecture.
Balcón del Conde de Lemos – The Balcony of
the Conde de Lemos. Located on the corner of Calles Deustua
and Conde de Lemos streets. It is said that this house served as
residence for the Viceroy of Perú, the count of Lemos, during
his stay in Puno in the year 1668.
Arco
Deustua-The Deustua Archway- Located in the first block
of Jirón Independencia street. Built of carved and engraved
stonework, it was erected by the population of Puno to commemorate
the patriots who fought in the Wars of Independence.
Cerrito
de Huajsapata- The Hill of Huajsapata: Located four blocks
from the Plaza de Armas, to the west of the city. Upon its summit
lies the monument to Manco Cápac. It affords a very beautiful
panoramic view of the city of Puno and of Lake Titicaca.
Museo Municipal Dreyer- The Dreyer Municipal Museum: Named
after Augustus Dreyer, longtime Puno resident, gifted artist, painter
and art collector. It is situated in Calle Conde de Lemos 289. It
contains his finely organized personal collection (presented as
a gift to the city of Puno) of ceramics, metalwork, silver and goldsmith’s
work, textiles, woven fabrics and stone sculptures of Inca and pre-Inca
origin. In addition, it possesses an extensive numismatic collection
and many documents of historical importance related to the Spanish
founding of the city of Puno.
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| TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS OUTSIDE OF TOWN |
Lago
Titicaca-Lake Titicaca: Ten blocks away from the Plaza
de Armas of Puno. It is the highest navigable lake in the world.
It covers a surface area of 8,288 km2 and has a maximum depth of
280 meters. It is 177 meters long and averages 56 km. in breadth.
The transparency of its waters is remarkable. It is divided in half
by the Peruvian-Bolivian border. It possesses 25 islands, the most
important ones (on the Peruvian side) being Taquile and Amantani.
It comprises the majority of the area of the Titicaca National Reserve,
created by the Peruvian government in 1978, with a total area of
36,200 hectares. It is home and habitat to a great variety of birds
such as Flamingoes (Phoenicorrapus andinus and Phoenicorrapus jamesi);
Huallatas (Andean Geese – Chloephaga melanoptera); Plovers
and Herons, as well as varieties of fish (Karachi, Pejerrey-Lake
Mackerel, Lake Trout, Suches and Ispi –members of the catfish
family).
Isla
flotante de Los Uros-The Floating Islands of the Uros:
Situated at 4 Km. of distance from Puno, these are composed of about
de 40 large totora-reed bank “floating” islets. These
are inhabited by a population of several hundred people, many of
them descendants of the original Uro ethnic group which dwelt on
and around the Titicaca basin before the advent of the Aymara. In
these remarkable reed-woven habitats, the descendants of this very
ancient human ethnic grouping continue to subsist following the
customs and lifestyles of their ancestors. They construct admirably
navigable vessels (the famous reed boats) Folk Art and handicrafts,
as well as some surplus derived from susbstinence fishing constitute
their principal sources of livelihood.
Isla
Taquile-Taquile Island: Situated 35 Km. from Puno. The
population is esteemed at approx. 2700 people. The local inhabitants
depend mostly on susbstinence farming and handicraft production.
They are renowned for the fine quality of their woven textiles,
the abundance of musical rituals and an original form of communal
tourism in which homes are equipped to receive small groups of ,
or individual, tourists who are welcomed to share in the daily life,
habits and customs of the home and the community.
Isla Amantani-Amantani Island: Situated 37 Km. from Puno and 3 Km.
from neighboring Taquile Island. The population numbers 4,000 people,
which are distributed into 8 communities dedicated mostly to farming
and other agricultural activities. Handicrafts and textiles occupy
a position of lesser importance in their everyday activities, although
their basketry is considered the finest in the region.
Chullpas de Sillustani-The Burial Towers of Sillustani Archaeological
site located 34 km. from the city of Puno. It is regarded as one
of the most important necropolis, or human burial sites, in the
world. It is built upon an esplanade surrounding the beautiful lake
of Umayo, at slightly above 4,000 meters above sea level. The Chullpas
consist of gigantic funerary monuments of tower-like appearance
erected by the Colla people. They are quadrangular and circular
in form, made of finely dressed and coursed blocks of granite, and
many of them rise higher than 12 meters in height.
Pucará.
Lies 101 Km. north of Puno. It is the site of an ancient
pre-Inca ceremonial center. It has also always been an important
pottery and ceramic manufacturing locality. It is famed for the
production of a given ceramic container in the shape of a bull,
known as “Toritos de Pucará " and eagerly sought
after throughout southern Peru as a symbol of fertility and wealth.
Chucuito.
18Km. south of Puno. It has a beautiful main Plaza on which
lies the Church of la Asunción (built in 1601). Chucuito
was an important pre-Columbian urban center and remained and urban
center of significance during Colonial times. Nearby is located
the shrine of Inca Uyo which possesses phallic stone sculptures,
for which reason it is regarded as an ancient site of fertility
cults.
Juli.
74 Km. south of Puno. It was once the most important administrative
and educational center of the Jesuit Missionary infrastructure on
Lake Titicaca. It served as an important preparatory and training
center for missionaries destined for the great missions in Paraguay
and the Mojos area in Bolivia. It possesses as many as seven churches,
unique for their architectural finery and beauty of design. Among
them, those most noteworthy are: San Juan de Letrán, San
Pedro Mártir and Santa Cruz de Jerusalem. Another admirable
structure is the Casa de la Inquisición o Casa de Zavala,
on the Main plaza.
Península
de Llachon-The Llachon Península. Llachon is a rural
community, strategically situated on the furthermost point of the
Peninsula of Capachica, on Lake Titicaca, which marks the northern
boundary of the Bay of Puno. It faces upon the islands of Amantani,
Taquile, Uros, Suazi and the southern boundary of the Bay, the
Peninsula
of Chucuito. In this sector of the Titicaca basin there
is an original form of communal tourism in which homes are equipped
to receive small groups of, or individual, tourists who are welcomed
to share in the daily life, habits and customs of the home and the
community. Llachón is a community that derives its livelihood
from tourism and to a lesser degree from agriculture, fishing and
the production of handicrafts. Various hikes can be undertaken around
the area.
Pomata.
A 90 Km. South of Puno. Another of the pre-Columbian and
later Colonial towns of importance along the southern shore of Lake
Titicaca. It is noted for its magnificent Church of Santiago Apóstol,
of pure mestizo architectural style, and possesses a fine view of
the southern lakeshore as well as of the nearby peninsula of Copacabana.
Aguas
Termales de Putina-The Putina Hot Springs 124 Km. north
of the city of Puno, or 3_ hours by motor transport, are located
these medicinal hot springs. Up
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| CLIMATE,
WEATHER AND SEASONAL INFORMATION |
Puno
average of 10†C (High of 19†C and Low of 2†C). The rainy Season is
from December to April. Up |
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| ROUTES
AND MEANS OF ACCESS |
OVERLAND:
LIMA: The main route is via Lima-Arequipa-Juliaca-Puno
(1,335 Km.) with an overall duration of 24 Hours.
BY
AIR:
Flights between Lima and Juliaca (One Hour and 45 minutes) and between
Arequipa and Juliaca (45 minutes). Up
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| TYPICAL
AND LOCAL CUISINE |
The popular Cuisine of Puno is based upon Stews and Soups employing
potatoes and red meats as principal ingredients. Up |
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| CALENDAR
OF FESTIVITIES AND TOURIST EVENTS |
February
2nd Virgen de la Candelaria. Patroness of Puno. This date
marks the onset of ten days of Celebrations. On the first day, hundreds
of costumed dance groups hailing from diverse surrounding communities
pay homage to the “Mamacha” (the Mother), displaying
the best of their folklore and their finest apparel. Here can be
appreciated the renowned “”Diablada” (Devil Dance).
The image of the Virgin is carried in procession through the main
streets and thoroughfares. In the course of the following days,
fairs and festivities are held in various neighborhoods, where drinking
and dancing goes on all night long.
Last
Week of February-First week of March. Fiesta de los compadres
y comadres (godfathers and godmothers) in Ayabaca, Juliaca. The
bonds and links of companionship and common interests between compadres
and comadres are renewed in each home while many musical bands play
and dancing and drinking go on all night long.
Carnavales. The Pandillas or Dance Groups tour the various city
neighborhoods (in Puno) and in the neighboring villages celebrations
are held on different Sundays. The most beautiful Dances can be
appreciated on these occasions, in which the entire population joins
in, dancing to the beat of the zampoñas (Pandean Flutes)
and bombos (bass drums).
March
8th. Festivity of San Juan de Dios. The Church of San Juan
de Dios, located in the city of Puno, is surrounded and encircled
by a diversity of musical bands and dance groups who dance to the
music of the Sikuris (notched Andean flutes of large size) in celebration
of the Patron Saint. All the faithful bring with them an offering
to the Saint, which they deposit in the course of their dance.
May
2nd to May 5th. Feria de las Alasitas. A traditional fair
devoted to the sale of ritual and symbolic miniature imagery. The
main festivity takes place on May 3rd . The sellers offer symbolic
miniature images of houses, cars, airplanes, currency, diverse home
appliances and virtually anything imaginable. These images are acquired
by the public and then blessed by specialized challadores (fortune
tellers, diviners). The popular belief is that, in the course of
the year, all that was acquired in miniature form will be attained
in life size.
July
15th. Festivity of the Virgen del Carmen in Cabana.
August
15th. Festivity of the Virgen de Asunta, Patroness of Cabana.
September
24th Festivity of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes.
In Juliaca also take place colorful agricultural and commercial
fairs that last 8 days.
October
10th Festivity of San Francisco de Asís (Saint Francis
of Assisi). In Yunguyo, the population pays homage to the “Tata
pancho” (“Father Frank”) amidst abundant song
dance and libation.
October
24th Anniversary of Juliaca.
November
4th. Anniversary of Puno. Up
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