Overview
Cajamarca is a city in Peru's northern highlands, in the Andes Mountains. Baroque colonial architecture surrounds the historic main square, Plaza de Armas.
Description
The Cajamarca Cathedral has a gold leaf–covered altar, while the Monastery of San Francisco has catacombs and a religious art museum. Nearby, El Cuarto del Rescate (Ransom Room) is where the last Incan emperor Atahualpa was imprisoned. A dainty but strong-willed metropolis, Cajamarca is cradled in a languid valley and stonewalled by brawny mountains in every direction. The most important town in the Northern Highlands, its mushroom field of red-tile-roofed abodes surely confesses a secret desire to cling to its village roots. Fertile farmland carpets the entire valley and Cajamarca’s streets belong as much to the wide-brimmed-hat-wearing campesinos (peasants) bundled in brightly colored scarves as they do to the young city slickers who frequent the town's boutique restaurants and bars.
Cajamarca, Cajamarca
Peru
URL:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/peru/northern-highlands/cajamarca