Treasures of the Northern Kingdoms

The north of Peru has a lot of history, culture and priceless treasures. To visit its archaeological sites, temples and museums will show the extensive pre-Inca past and the magnificence on how ancient people used to live between 100 and 700 A.D.

Ancient cultures that inhabited the valleys of the north of Peru showing many social developments, infrastructure developments, art and mystical traditions.

In Chiclayo we can find more about the Moche Culture that worshiped the god Ai Apaec as main god, the sea and the moon. This society made great hydraulic engineering work and architectural as contemplated in its pyramids and temples.

The new Huaca Rajada – Sipán museum,  exhibits to the world ornaments of the Warrior Priest, whose remains are on a glass vase in which can also be seen jewelry and ceramics and the Sipán dynasty with all his descendants with information about the later periods of Lambayeque and Chimu.

The museum was opened in April 2009 and its main purpose display objects that can be found in future studies on the site of Huaca Rajada - Sipan being one of the newest in the region which cannot  be missed.

Learn more about the treasure of the northern kingdoms: North of Peru

VALLEY OF THE PYRAMIDS IN THE HEART OF LAMBAYEQUE

In Lambayeque, 33 kilometers north of Chiclayo, can be found the Valley of the Pyramids of Tucume. It is a complex of 26 pyramids made of adobe (clay and sand), also called temples.

These majestic pyramids are up to 40 meters high and cover about 220 hectares surrounding a hill known as “El Purgatorio” (Purgatory), from where you can see the entire valley.

It is known that this area was built around 700 AD, and passed through the hands of the Lambayeque, Chimu and Inca cultures. Travelers can see temples, courtyards, halls and warehouses between these buildings.

In the valley you can take tours through all of the museums, participate in archaeological research and healing rituals, as well as other traditions.

 For more information enter in this link: Chimu Culture

Source: Peruthisweek

Chan Chan's working woman is praised by the UNESCO

The person in charge to take care of the archaeological ruins of Chan Chan, Maria Mendoza, was considered a heroine by the UNESCO, given its ongoing efforts to protect this monument heritage.

Maria Mercedes and other 80 women works at Chan Chan, monitoring the damages left by the passage of time and the weather at the monument. Each one loads in a wheelbarrow, buckets of mud on a detailed work that is repeated every day.

With an inexhaustible patience, Maria Mercedes divides her time: in the morning she takes care of this architectural complex, and in the evening turns into a great housewife.

She grew up next to her mother, who guided her steps and taught her to love the history and traditions of her homeland, to respect the legacy of the ancient Peruvians. Education that puts in practice until today.

The German journalists Ruth Wolter and Astrid Piethan travelled from Germany to Chan Chan as part of the project "Heroes of the Heritage" promoted by the UNESCO in Germany, exclusively to interview María.

In the German city of Bonn, the headquarters of the UNESCO, an exhibition will be held soon with all the protagonists worldwide, and Maria Mercedes is the only representative of all Latin America.

Learn more of the north of Peru and its architectural riches, on the following link: Moche Culture.

Easter in Moche was declared Cultural Heritage

The Holy Week in Moche's district, Trujillo, has been distinguished as National Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture of Peru, thanks to its importance as a religious celebration and the great faith of the people.

The characteristics that this nomination highlights, are the traditional elements of the local culture, which shape the identity of the population and an important tradition of rituality.

The festivity lasts for 10 days, begins on Holy Friday and ends on Easter Sunday. During these days people practice rituals of concentration and meditation.

Another important aspect of the celebration is to consume the traditional Theologian Soup, a festive soup widely consumed by people of the northern region, which consists of chicken broth and beef with dipped bread, potato, milk and cheese.

Thanks to the Moche population this tradition is still practicing and it renews every year.

Enjoy the Moche route with the following tour:

-MocheRoute Tour 3D/2N : Chiclayo and Trujillo