Category: "Modern Peru"

Qoricancha – Templo del Sol

November 4th, 2006 |

The Temple of the Sun, mostly destroyed by a Dominican church built on top, is a prime example of the clash of cultures that took place; and who dominated who.

Qoricancha was a monumental building, several blocks away from the main square of the Inca city. It was where the highest priests in the empire were based…

Cusco’s Monasterio de Santa Catalina

November 3rd, 2006 |

This monastery was finished in 1610 and built on top of the destroyed Inca ruins of Acllawasi. This monastery is famous for its colonial religious art, particularly its collection of the Escuela Cusqueña paintings. These are some of the greatest works of Amerindian art in Cuzco – a mix of taught European styles with indigenous influences.

The Yavarí

October 26th, 2006 |

The oldest ship on the highest navigable lake in the world, the Yavarí floats on the waters of Titicaca as it has done for nearly 150 years.

Built in England in 1862, it comprises of 2,766 pieces that arrive in Arica – then southern Peru – to begin the long journey by hundreds of mules to Lake Titicaca to be reassembled.

The Yavarí was discovered in a state of disrepair over a decade ago by a British woman from a family with a maritime background named Meriel Larken. On learning the ship’s history she founded The YAVARI Project and charity to restore it. Work is still under way but progressing.

Anticuchos

September 22nd, 2006 |

Originally an Andean cuisine encountered and recorded in history by the first Spanish Conquistadors, Anticuchos are essentially skewered meat of different possible varieties. In Peru, the most common and most tasty of these meats is the heart of a cow. Anticuchos de Corazon are now…

The Asháninkas

August 24th, 2006 |

The Asháninkas are the indigenous people of the central rainforest. Their native land spans from San Ramon, where the start of the Amazon rainforest clings to the edge of the Andes, eastward to Brasil. Here though, they make up the minority of the population (20-30%) because people from the sierra descended on towns like La Merced to flee terrorism in the 80’s and early 90’s and because numerous colonialists from various parts of Peru arrived to exploit the rainforest.

Las Palmas Airbase

July 23rd, 2006 |

This morning we left for Las Palmas Air Force base, where there was a display and a parade in front of the president.
When we arrived, 2 minutes before it started, there were thousands of people queuing for entry. Luckily for us, Annett’s father is a retired Air Force Commander and we were ushered through the gates and in to a parking space.

Lunch at Cordano

July 6th, 2006 |

The Plaza de Armas was sealed off today to prevent protesters approaching the presidential palace. Only people wanting access local business and tourists were allowed through into the plaza, so it was strangely quiet when we passed through to go to lunch to celebrate a family event.

We ate at the famous “Cordano” a small bar/restaurant to the right of the Palacio del Gobierno. This bar was frequented by the rich and powerful in Lima’s heyday and is still a favourite for congressmen and local businessmen, as well as more well-informed tourists.

Perú Negra – Black Peru

May 19th, 2006 |

Afro-Peruvians contribute significantly to the culture of Peru, particularly in music.

Afro-Peruvians make up about 6% of the population and although settled throughout the country along with the spanish conquistadors, can be found mainly along the costal region.