Chachapoyas, Department of Amazonas, Peru

🇵🇪 Chachapoyas is a city in northern Peru at an elevation of 2,335 meters. Situated in the mountains far from the Peruvian coast, Chachapoyas remains fairly isolated from other regions of Peru. It is served by buses to Chiclayo and Cajamarca, and flights to domestic locations from Chachapoyas Airport. The city of Chachapoyas is the capital of the Amazonas Region. It was founded on September 5, 1538, by the Spanish conquistador Alonso de Alvarado "and his twenty". Local agriculture includes sugar cane, orchid and coffee growing. Chachapoyas' transitional location between the arid Cordillera Occidental and Cordillera Central and the rainy, rainforested Cordillera Oriental, allow it to receive generally moderate annual precipitation without experiencing the copiously excessive, tropical-rainforest-like precipitation amounts in towns farther east such as Moyobamba.

History Named San Juan de la Frontera de los Chachapoyas, the city was first established near La Jalca, and then near Levanto. The city's original locations were abandoned due to climate, disease and a lack of defenses against rebelling local groups. The location of the city changed several times, until it was settled in the place that it now occupies at 2,334 m. At first the date of settlement had not been specified. It is believed that the Spanish colonials moved the city to its present location in 1545.

The city still preserves its wide colonial casonas of big courts and lounges, with roofs made of tiles. Its Plaza de Armas is located to the west of the city and it is a perfect quadrilateral of 100 m. per side. Located on the south side of the plaza is a monument to the "Hero of Arica", colonel Francisco Bolognesi.

From the viceroyalty period dates the legend that the Indian chief Pantoja asked the viceroy for permission to put a gold roof in his house. This and other treasures would be hidden in one of the 40 caves that surround the city.

At one time there was a lagoon surrounded with totoras (a type of bulrush) and palm trees. From these plants, wood was extracted to build the temples of the city. The Kuélap stadium now stands this location.

Geography From the route of Bagua towards the Mayo River and Huallaga Central, a branch detaches itself, following the course of the Utcubamba River and leading to Chachapoyas.

The city's geographical location has determined its isolation until recently, when better roads were constructed between Chachapoyas and the cities of the northern Peruvian coast. Chachapoyas is surrounded by extensive and matted wooded formations. During the rainy season, these formations are covered with a thick haze, from which the city's name may be derived (from the Quechua word: sachapuyos, meaning "mount of haze"). Another interpretation of the name Chachapoyas is the one that alludes its meaning of "strong male".

Independence Square To the east of the city is the Independence Square. In this square there is a monument to the Chachapoyas heroes of the Higos Urco battle of June 6, 1821. It is said that Plaza Santa Ana was the first square in the city. Here the first church of Chachapoyas was built. People used to celebrate the San Juan de los Indios' festivities in this square with eight days of bullfighting.

Luya Urco Luya Urqu (Luya Urco) is a hill located to the west of the city. In this place stands the well of Yana Yaku (Pozo de Yanayacu), originally known as the Fuente Cuyana. The well was constructed in the same place in which, according to legend, Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo brought forth water from a rock, ending the drought that was plaguing the region. The legend of the well is that any man who drinks from its waters will be forever attracted by the charm of the city's women

Cuyana Fountain This fountain of legend was in the skirt of Luya Urco hill and had two jets, one of good and one of evil. According to the legend, when a person drank water from the first jet, love was born, but from the second one hate or negligence was produced. In the city, it was said that the foreigner who drank from this "fountain of love", would be forever captivated by its beautiful women and its wonderful grounds that are full of delight.

The Lagoon At one time there was a lagoon surrounded with totoras (a type of bulrush) and palm trees. From these plants, wood was extracted to build the temples of the city. The Kuélap stadium is now in this location.

Legón Hill Legón Hill is located in the town of Higos Urco, 2 km from the city.

Petroglyphs of Pitaya An archaeological site with about 3,000 years old located 20 km from the city of Chachapoyas, in the Huancas district. It is about 30 graphic representations of various species of flora and fauna. Some of these images also refer to hunting days.

To get there we must travel about 9 km (20 min) by road northward from the centre of Chachapoyas to the Huanca district, and finally we will have to walk an hour to find the famous Petroglyphs of Pitaya. Entrance to the site is free.