Pisco Peru 1/28
Pisco Peru
The fishing town of Pisco may very well look like a seedy port town. The name of the city itself means “bird” in Quechua, and there are plenty of those on the islands off the coast. However, what makes the most sense about the name is that any local prosperity was due to the vineyards that grow the grapes used in distilling Peru’s favorite drink, pisco brandy. The Paracas culture, one of Peru’s most important, flourished here from around 1000 BC until 400 AD. A Spanish settlement was first established in 1640 but the village was mostly destroyed in 1682 by an earthquake, then again in 1686 by a tidal wave. It finally became incorporated as a city in 1898. Pisco was almost chosen as Peru’s capital because of its easy access and for being a crossroads to the Andes.
The Plaza de Armas in Pisco is the
main plaza and most of the important historical structures surround it,
including the Municipal Palace, plus a mansion that housed South American
liberator Jose de San Martin. You also find a statue of San Martin nearby. The
Iglesia de la Campania is a lovely Baroque building in town with a gold-leaf
altarpiece and carved pulpit.
One of the nearby sights is Tambo Colorado, a large, well-preserved Inca adobe complex, there was no need to use stone due to the lack of rain. This spot was an Incan administrative center that dates back to the 16th century. You may catch a sight in your wanderings of The Candelabra, a giant geoglyph that was created in the sands on the side of a hill, no one knows why or how. Closer to the water is the Paraches National Reserve, a naturally beautiful peninsula that also includes marine sea life in the waters that surround it. There are wildlife and ancient ruins throughout the park. Lastly, you could find a tour to the Islas Ballestas, rocky islands that teem with wildlife. The locals call the Isles the “Peruvian Galapagos” or the “Poor Man’s Galapagos”. They are off limits to humans, except, and this is funny but true, the guano collectors, but boat tours get close enough to see the impressive avian and marine life. All the species found here are protected by law, birds ashore include not only more penguins but the occasional Andean condor, and marine life includes dolphins, turtles, sea lions (baby ones this time of year), and whales.
We did not see much of Pisco as we were heading to Cusco to spend a day touring that city, and on to Machu Picchu the next day, returning to our ship on 1/30.
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