One more very special cultural feature visitors can find in Peru is the mix of Inca culture and the input of Spanish conquerors; particularly in religion, because one of the reasons, or maybe the main reason given by Spanish monarchy to keep presence in the vast Inca empire was the need to bring Catholicism to these lands.
There was indeed a very strong clash, which started with the famous, historical handing of the Bible from a Catholic priest to then Inca emperor Atahualpa, in the Main Square of Cajamarca (mid-North Peru); the emperor put the book close to his ears and as he heard nothing, threw it on the floor, because at the moment he didn’t see the Spanish as a threat at all and this was his way of telling them to surrender or leave the land. (The Incas didn’t know written language).
What Atahualpa wasn’t aware of is that Spanish leader Francisco Pizarro had exploited hidden resentment among regional kingdoms which had been recently conquered by the Incas, and promised them freedom from Inca rule if they joined the Spanish army. So the Spanish army was actually much larger than Atahualpa believed, they were hidden behind the mountains surrounding Cajamarca. And the throwing of the Bible was deemed by Spaniards as blasphemy, which unleashed a battle against the sacrilegious Inca people. That day, Atahualpa, the powerful emperor, against any prediction, against all odds, lost the battle and was made prisoner.
He was taken to a famous room, which became known as the “ransom room”, where he raised an arm and told the Spanish he would give them that height in silver and gold in exchange for his freedom and the Spaniards leaving the empire. They supposedly agreed and the Inca emperor gave the order for silver and gold to be gathered from all the corners of the empire. Meanwhile, in jail, Atahualpa became a very good chess player, beating the Spanish guards sometimes.
So, Cajamarca town has very interesting attractions!
- The Main Square (Plaza de Armas), where the encounter and battle took place, now a sample of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
- The “Ransom Room” a beautiful, historical piece of wonderful Inca imperial building.
- The Inca thermal baths, for Atahualpa didn’t live in Cusco City, the empire was so big that it had another capital, Quito, currently in Ecuador. Atahualpa visited Cajamarca from time to time and went to these hot waters because they are very relaxing and good for health. His half-brother, Huascar, lived in Cusco City with the old monarchy and the crown was in dispute between the two brothers, because their father, emperor Huayna Capac, had died suddenly, due to the smallpox the Spanish brought and was not known in the Inca empire, they had no antibodies.
- Cajamarca is the origin of the Inkarri myth, which states that the preserved mummy of Inca Atahualpa will resurrect and bring Inca greatness again, bringing well-being to Andean masses. Because, eventually, Atahualpa was publicly executed by the Spaniards; his loyal servants stole the corpse and it’s said it is hidden in a cave, sitting and looking at his lands, waiting for the moment to come back and restore the greatness of Peru.
- Also, visitors can marvel and admire the Palace of emperor Atahualpa, another spectacular sample of Inca imperial architecture.
- Now, something really mind-blowing! The descendants of emperor Atahualpa can be found in Cajamarca! Now they go by the last name Astopilco and are very modest people! But their grandfather’s last name was Astopilco Inca, still signaling his heritage. They now live in a small house in a poor area of Cajamarca town, which historians have tracked. Same thing happens in Cusco City: descendants of original Inca royalty can be found and are honored on some special occasions like the Inti Raymi (Sun Festival).
- Cajamarca is the best region in Peru for dairy products. There you can find the best, purest milk in the country and also several delicious by-products: a wide variety of cheese, desserts and the famous, typical manjar blanco, a very, very yummy mix of chocolate and milk every Peruvian buys when visiting Cajamarca. If you want, there are places where you can even milk big cows for fun and know all they do to take care of them and produce dairy items
Cajamarca has a very important place in Peru and Inca history, has several amazing archaeological remains, wonderful Andean landscapes, strong flow of natural energy, actually, many features you can only find in the Andes range!
You can also book with us a tour to this amazing region in Peru! Talk to our staff for more details and information!
