Moquegua

Moquegua is located in the southwestern part of the country. It is located 1144 kilometers south from the capital city of Lima. Exactly in the widest part of the valley, in a volcanic region by the Huaynaputina, Ticsani and Ubinas mountains. Its territory comprises parts of the coast and the Sierra. The weather in the coast is dry and warm, while in the Sierra temperatures are high during the day and cold at nights. The average temperature is 25ºC (77ºF).

Archaeological investigations clearly indicate that Moquegua always had close ties with the high Lake Titicana plateau, with the Pucata and Tiahuanaco culture in the Early and Middle periods, respectively, and the ethnic groups Colla and Lupaca in the Late period.

Time stands still for this city, which the Spaniards founded and named Moquegua towards the end of the colony. Its foundation and Santa Catalina Day are celebrated on November 25th each year Farming was the main activity, particularly fruit trees and vineyards. Its wines and liqueurs acquired fame and were exported to Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. Wine and pisco of an excellent quality are still produced in this area. Mining is currently the main economic activity.

It is interesting to visit:

  • Square of Arms
  • Church of Santo Domingo
  • Constisuyo Museum
  • Regional Museum
  • Matriz Church
  • Convent of the Jesuits – Regidor Perpetuo House.

Tourist sites of Moquegua

Museum of the Contisullo

The Museum Contisuyo is hidden within the ruined stone walls of the historic main church of Moquegua, which collapsed in an earthquake in 1868.

Housed in a modern building that echoes the flat-peaked “mojinete” roofline of traditional Moquegua houses, the Museo has artifact storage and laboratory space on the first floor, a permanent exhibition hall on the second floor, and an office, an auditorium, and a multipurpose hall on the third floor.

You can stroll through the exhibit hall on your own (everything is explained in English and Spanish), or have one of the Museo staff show you around.

The real Museo takes visitors through regional prehistory, from the first inhabitants through the Inka empire.it Contains a display of archaeological remains of the Puquina and Uros cultures, and
a chronological explanation of the different cultures that settled in this area.

Cathedral of Moquegua

There isn’t any clear information about the Spanish conquest and the year of the city’s foundation. However, it is said that the possible date for this may be November 25, 1541, by Pedro Cansino and his wife, Josefina de Bilbao.

Cerro Baul

18 km northeast of Moquegua, about 25 minutes by car, is an impressive and peculiar geologicalFormation. The area around the top of the mountain appears to have been cut perpendicularly and curiously resembles the type of chest or trunk that was used all over Peru in the old days and is still popular in the highlands. It was ceremonial site where the Cuchunas offered resistance to the advance of the Incas.

Tarata

The city of Tarata is located within the district and province of the same name, which are part of the region of Tacna. Tarata is the capital of both the district and the province to which it is integrated.

Among the tourist resources that are recognized within the city of Tarata, are places like the Main Square of the city of Tarata, scene of the most important events of the city. Around the square are historical and important buildings, as is the case of the Church of Tarata which is a construction before the first half of the eighteenth century. The church of Tarata is also known as the Church of San Benedicto and although it was inaugurated in 1748, it is known that the beginning of its construction took place in the 17th century.

In the city of Tarata it is also possible to find attractive archaeological resources, as is the case of the well-known terraces of Tarata, which occupy a territory of more than 3,000 hectares. The terraces of Tarata are in a good state of conservation and are almost two and a half hours away from the city. The road to the platform system is an interesting route for excursions and trekking, and the entrance to the place is absolutely free.

Another archeological resource of the city of Tarata are the Petroglyphs of Anajiri, which are only 4 km from the city. The petroglyphs comprise a group of approximately one hundred pieces, in which both atropomorphic and zoomorphic figures are recognized. The site is reached after forty minutes of walking and it is recommended to visit it, especially between the months of April and December.

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