JUNIN

GENERAL DATA

Location: The department of Junín is situated in the middle of the Peruvian Andes.
Area: 44 410 km2
Capital: Huancayo (3 249 masl)
Altitude: 313 masl (Puerto Prado) Lowest town.
4 505 masl (Morococha) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 13º C (17º C maximum and 0º C minimum).
Rainy season: November to March.

ACCESS ROUTES

By Land: The most advisable route is along the Central Highway from Lima to Ticlio and Huancayo (310 km), a 5 ½ h drive by car, crossing the Andes through the Anticona pass (Ticlio).

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

The Junín plains were known as the Pampus region, which until the arrival of the Incas was inhabited by a semi-savage, quarrelsome group of people whose rivals were the Tarumas. Meanwhile, the Mantaro Valley was inhabited by the Huancas. Finally, Inca Pachacutec conquered all these groups in 1 460, when they became part of the Inca Empire. Huancayo became the region’s main roadside resting place on the Inca Trail.
Wool mills (referred to as obrajes) were set up during the Viceroyship, when weaving and knitting became a tradition that continues to this day.
On September 13th 1 825, liberator Simon Bolivar issued a Decree creating what is now the department of Junin, to commemorate his victory on the Junin Plains. Great events of national importance occurred during this period: Huancayo hosted the Assembly that issued the 1 839 Constitution and on December 3rd 1 854, Marshall Castilla signed the decree that granted slaves their freedom. Huancayo, the capital of the department, is now an important trading and farming city in this country.

ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY

Cathedral Church

Constitution Square
Visits: Monday to Sunday 7:30-9:30 and 17:00-19:30.
Neoclassic in style, it houses a collection of Cuzco school paintings. Pope Pious XII raised the status of this church to a Cathedral in 1 955.

Constitution Square

Situated in the city center, it was named after the Cadiz Liberal Constitution Oath. The square is adorned with a display of ornamental plants native to the highlands, such as the quishuar and retama.

La Merced Chapel

Calle Real 100.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-12:00 and 15:00-18:30.
Considered a National Historic Monument because it is where the 1 839 Constitution was signed.

Huamanmarca Square

Corner of Jr. Ica and Jr. Piura.
In this square, Jerónimo de Silva founded Huancayo as a town on June 1st 1 572.

Huancayo Sunday Fair

Huancavelica avenue, blocks 2-12.
Established in 1 572 to promote trade among local natives, the fair is a market place for handicrafts as well as industrial and agricultural products.

La Libertad Hill

Located a five minute bus ride away, about 1 km east of Huancayo at the end of Giraldez avenue, this area is also known as the Mirador (lookout point) because of the splendid view of the city and part of the Mantaro Valley. There are recreational and mechanical games, a semi-Olympic swimming pool and a small zoo.

Artisan House

Corner of Real and Paseo La Breña streets
A handicraft and tourist center with the best displays of silverware, textiles, leather work, carved gourds, wood carvings and other handiwork.

Torre Torre

A geological area situated 1 km or a 15 minute walk from the La Libertad Hill. The rain and the wind have formed 10 to 30 m tall stone towers in this area, hence its name. It provides a wonderful view of the Mantaro Valley.

OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY

Ingenio

Situated 28 km northeast of Huancayo, about 35 minutes by car along the so-called Valle Azul (Blue Valley). In this area there are trout farms, country restaurants and adequate camping sites.

Sicaya

Located 8 km northeast of Huancayo, about 20 minutes by car. A prominent attraction is the church which was declared a Historical National Monument, with famous baroque style carved wooden altars and eighteenth century canvases.

Warivilca Sanctuary

Ancient sanctuary of the Wari Empire, situated 6 km south of Huancayo in the Wari annex, a 20 minute drive by car. This Archaeological Complex was built between 800 and 1 200 AD and was discovered in 1 935. The temple is one of its outstanding structures. There is an on-site museum.

Ñahuimpuquio Lagoon

Situated in the Ahuac district 15 km from Huancayo, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Huaytapallana

Located 25 km From Huancayo, it takes about two hours to drive there and 30 minutes to climb the 5 200 m. high snow-capped mountain on foot. This is a popular area for adventure sports.

ATTRACTIONS IN OTHER PROVINCES

Concepción:

Ocopa Convent
Visits: Wednesday to Monday 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00.
Old Franciscan convent founded in 1 725, situated 25 km from Huancayo. It was the starting point for the bold Franciscan missionaries who tried to catechize eastern jungle dwellers. It has an exceptional library containing some 20 000 volumes, including numerous incunabular versions and some bibliographic jewels.

Jauja:

Cristo Pobre Chapel
Visits: Monday to Sunday 7:00-9:00 and 15:00-18:00.
Located between San Martín and Colina streets, it was built by order of French priest Luis Gradin. Its characteristics are similar to Notre Dame Church in Paris and it was the first cement construction in the Central Area of Peru.

Paca Lagoon
Situated 4 km from Jauja, its remarkable landscape is outstanding. The lagoon is surrounded by bulrushes and picturesque restaurants. Boat rides are available on the lagoon, including visits to the Isla del Amor (Island of Love).

Tunanmarca Archaeological Complex
Archaeological ruins considered to be the capital of Huanca, a pre-Hispanic culture, consisting of circular shaped stone buildings. A hard-top road to the foothill provides access to these ruins.

Tarma:

Señor de Muruhuay Sanctuary
Visits: 24 hours.
The faithful visit this sanctuary by the thousands, attracted by its origin and tradition, which blend together in a mantle of mystery and history.

Guagapo Grotto
Referred to as the Crying Grotto, it is situated 29 km from Tarma and is considered the largest in South America.

San Pedro de Cajas
World famous for its tapestries, 90% of the population in this area are involved in textile handicrafts.

Satipo:

Huanacaure
Ancient stone carvings that date back to 1 500 BC, discovered in 1 919.

Chanchamayo:

El Perezoso Botanical Garcen
Situated in Pueblo Pardo, 15 km from La Merced. It contains a large variety of exotic plants and fruit trees.

El Tirol Waterfalls
These waterfalls consist of three sections, ending in an inviting and refreshing pool.

Puerto Pichanaki Beach
Situated in the Perene river basin, it is unique because of its large size and natural state, formed as a result of El Niño Phenomenon.

FOLKLORE

The area is known for its variety of typical native dances, the most important being the Huaylarsh, Chonguinada, Huaconada, Shapis, Santiago, Chinchilpos, Gamonales and Avelinos. The most popular festivals are called Cortamontes or Yunsa.

HANDICRAFTS

Carved gourds, embroidery, pottery and silverware, as well as wood carvings, woven belts, straw furniture, tapestries, among others.

GASTRONOMY

Typical dishes:

• Uman caldo (Sheep’s head broth with spearmint and hot chili peppers).
• Yaku chupeor green soup (potato soup with bone stock, cheese and aromatic herbs).
• Huallca chupe or Wallpa Chupe (Chicken broth with vegetables and noodles).
• Patascaor tripe broth (soup made with innards, spearmint and offal).
• Patachi(Wheat soup with pulses, bacon and meat)
• Pachamanca (various kinds of meat, potatoes and tender corn covered with aromatic herbs and cooked underground between hot stones, in a pre-Hispanic style).
• Chicharron colorado (pork fried in its own fat)
• Cordero al palo (whole lamb cooked over hot coals).

FESTIVALS

Easter in Tarma. (Marzo / Abril)

Liturgical ceremonies and processions. At this time of the year, traditional carpets of colored flowers cover the city’s streets.

Festival of the Crosses. (May)

Processions, dances and samples of typical regional dishes
Festival of Santiago throughout the Mantaro Valley
Patron Festival of Sicaya, Virgin of Cocharcas, among others.

SERVICES

• Land Transport
• RailwayTransport: Huancayo-Huancavelica Route.
• Health Centers
• Police Stations
• Handicrafts Markets
• Post Office
  

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