OLD HOUSES

The Casona Castilla y Zamora. Built in 1677 in the Portal Municipal of the main square. In one of its courtyards grows an old grapevine which was the first brought to Peru by the Spaniards.

The Casona Chacón, has two magnificent and large courtyards with solid stone XVII century decorative arches. Located in the Portal Union on the main square, nowadays it is home to the Joaquin López Antay Museum of Popular Art.

The Casona Jáuregui has a unique doorway due to various original architectural elements, such as the balcony supports with animal forms and the crown with a two-headed- eagle on one of its arches. It is located in Jirón 2 de Mayo.

Santa Ana; the arts and crafts quarter, full of weavers and potters, has fine views of Ayacucho and the surrounding countryside.

The Marqués de Mozobamba Palace; has a sculpted stone wall constructed by Indian builders and reminiscent of Inca work. This was the first mansion in the city and is believed to be the oldest palace on America.

SURROUNDINGS

The Raimondi Puyas forest:

This park, 120 kms from the city, is over 400 square hectares in area and has about 120,000 puyas (plants), which can grow up to 14 meters, and can take between 80 to 100 years to flower.

The Wari Archeological complex

20 kms northwest of the city, this complex was the ancient capital of the Wari Empire, where three storey high stone buildings, aqueducts and the remnants of an amphitheater can be admired.

Pikimachay

20 minutes walk on the Ayacucho-Huanta road, this site is said to have been the home to the first human settlers on the continent.

Quinua Village and the Pampa de Quinua (Quinua Plain)

A bucolic land of farmers and potters about 32 kms. from the city. In its Plaza de Armas (Main Square) you can visit the place where the Spanish signed their surrender to the independent army and about a kilometer out of the town, the plain where the battle of Ayacucho took place can be visited.

Vilcashuamán

120 kms. from Ayacucho and one of the best preserved Inca cities in Peru, this was a political and religious enclave built by the Inca Pachacutec when he defeated the Chanca nation.