TOURIST INFORMATION
TACNA |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location: department
of Tacna is situated in the extreme south of Peru, on
the border with Chile.
Area:
16 062 km2
Capital:
Tacna
Altitude:
562 m.a.s.l.
Average annual temperature:
18,6º C ( 28º C maximum, 6º C
minimum) Rainy Season runs from May through August. |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
Lima-Tacna (1 293 km) on the South Pan-American Highway,
about 18 h by car.
By
air: Daily flights from Lima to Tacna (flying
time about 1 h and 35 minutes). |
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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| The oldest traces of humanity in Tacna date
back to 9 000 BC, proved by the rupestrian paintings found
in Toquepala. Subsequently, this area was populated by
groups from the Collao Plateau. The first Spaniards arrived
in 1 537. The population of Tacna collaborated closely
with the emancipation of Peru, from the very first liberation
movements that began in 1 811 with Francisco Antonio de
Zela. The great sense of patriotism of these people was
acknowledged by Parliament when the settlement was raised
to the category of a Villa or town in 1 823. On May 26th
1 928, President Jose La Mar issued a law awarding the
town the title of Heroic City. On May 26th, 1 880 it was
occupied by Chile after the Stop the Alliance Battle.
Based on the Ancon Treaty, Tacna regained its Peruvian
status on August 28th, 1 929. |
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| ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF TACNA |
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Cathedral
Opposite the Civic Center on the Main Square.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 7:00-12:30 and 15:00-19:30.
Located in the city center, with a neo renaissance style
and very fine architectural lines. Built with stones obtained
from a quarry in the Intiorko and Arunta hills, the contract
to build this church was signed with the French firm Alejandro
Gustavo Eiffel during the government of Jose Balta.
Ornamental Fountain
Located in the middle of the Civic Center, this fountain
is 6 m high and 6 m in diameter. On the granite base is
the first group of classic Greek style sculptures symbolizing
the four calendar seasons and on the large fountain, another
group of sculptures of four naked children holding hands.
The fountain was designed by D'Len Hard, a sculptor from
Simpson, the English foundry.
Zela
House
Calle Zela 542.
Visits: 8:00-12:00 and 15:00-19:00.
This is the home of Francisco Antonio de Zela y Anzana,
hero of the independence who on June 20th 1 811 gave the
first cry of freedom. The house with a quarry stone façade,
preserves its viceroy influence and the pureness of its
architecture. It was declared a Historical Monument on
July 26th 1 961. One room is now an Archaeological Museum
which displays various items of pottery, textiles, woodwork
and metalwork, basketwork and fishing tackle.
Municipal Theatre
Pasaje Calderón de la Barca, opposite Mac Lean
Square.
Not open to the public.
Spaniard Constantino Martínez de Pino finished
building this theatre in 1 870. A three story building,
the ground floor is made of quarry stone. Baroque style
paintings and pictures of illustrious citizens decorate
the ceiling.
Railway Museum
Av. Coronel Albarracin 402, Tacna.
Phone: (054) 72-4981.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9.00-5:00.
Of great historical and architectural value because 90%
of its elements are original. It provides a good idea
of the historical process of the railway and is considered
one of the best of its kind in South America.
History Museum
Calle Apurimac 202.
Phone: (054) 71-1171.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-17:00.
Located in the city center, half a block from the Municipal
Palace. It was created in 1 957 and the building houses
the branch office of the National Culture Institute.
Parabolic Arch
Situated in the Civic Center, Designed by German technicians,
the 18 m tall arch is made of a pinkish quarry stone and
was built in honor of our Pacific War heroes Miguel Grau
and Francisco Bolognesi.
Alameda
Bolognesi
Two blocks from the Civic Centre, this promenade is considered
to be one of the most beautiful, romantic and picturesque
parts of the city. It dates back to the middle of last
century. The Capilina river flows underneath the middle
of this promenade, through proper channels. In view of
its location, this is the most frequented part of the
city.
Legal House
Calle Zela 716.
Phone: (054) 71-5225.
Site of the signature of the first Act of Acceptance of
Tacna by Peru on August 28th 1 929. The building houses
the Re-incorporation Museum, the Tacna Art Gallery and
the Historical Departmental Archives.
Locomotive
Park
Av. Grau s/n.
Built for the sole purpose of housing the Nº 3 Locomotive
that, last century, carried the troops and supplies for
the epic defense of the Arica headland. |
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| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY |
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Alto de la Alianza
Monument and on-site Museum
Alto de la Alianza Field (at the entrance to Tacna 8 km
from the city).
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-17:00.
Situated on the plains northwest of Mount Intiorko, about
15 minutes by car. This was the site of the “Alto
de la Alianza” Battle on May 26th 1 880. A monument
in honor of national patriots was built on this same site.
The on-site museum is a circular building containing weapons
from that period, rifles, sabers, gala uniforms of the
main battle commanders, letters, documents and a very
descriptive scale model of the battle.
Pocollay
Situated 5 km northwest of the city, a 10 minute drive.
At 613 m.a.s.l., the climate is excellent and the area
is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Traditional restaurants
serve typical regional dishes.
Calientes
Located 22 km east of the city, 30 minutes by car. The
fountain of healthy thermal waters is frequented by tourists.
The medicinal waters are said to prevent gout, rheumatism
and other diseases.
Boca
del Río Resort
Boca del Rio is the most popular beach resort near Tacna.
It is situated 50,5 km from the Coastal Highway detour
in the Santa district, about 45 minutes by car.
Calana
Located 12 km from the town of Yaras, 15 minutes by car.
A countryside district of Tacna characterized by its mild,
dry climate.
San Francisco
de Miculla Petroglyphs
22 km From the town of Yaras, about 30 minutes by car.
A complex of ancient stone carvings of various sizes on
the surface of the limey or reddish siliceous rocks, covering
approximately 16 km2.
Toquepala
Cave
Situated 13 km Southeast of the Toquepala Mining Center,
which is 165,9 km from the city of Tacna, a 2 h drive.
These rupestrian paintings in the Toquepala mining area
are considered to be the most ancient artistic expressions
in Peru (9 000 BC).
Tarata
At km 89, 3 h by car. A charming Andean village with picturesque
scenery and terraces of a pre-Inca origin. (3 070 m.a.s.l.).
Locumba
At km 78, 1 ½ h by car. A fertile, inter-Andean
valley where local people are strongly devoted to worshipping
the Lord of Locumba. Hundreds of worshippers make a pilgrimage
to this area on September 14th each year. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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Typical dishes:
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Corn and cheese (Tender boiled corn
served with fresh cheese and hot chili peppers). |
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Fried pork with toasted corn. |
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Patasca or tripe soup (Soup made of tripe, spearmint
and giblets). |
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Picante a la Tacneña (Hot stew made with
giblets, dried or salted meat, potatoes and oregano). |
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Cuy chactado (Guinea pig fried in a pan underneath
a heavy flat stone). |
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Pastel de choclo (A fresh corn dish which can
be salty, filled with pork stew, or sweet with raisins).
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Traditional
beverages: |
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Tacna Sour, peach or strawberry liqueurs and local
wines. |
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| FESTIVITIES |
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Homage to the
Alto de la Alianza Garrison (May)
A Civic parade and special program carried out in the
Alto de la Alianza Field.
San
Juan Night and Expedition to Valle Viejo (June)
A millenarian ritual (payment to Pachamama or Mother Earth).
A festival of artistic and cultural shows.
Return
of Tacna to Peru (August)
Civic parade when the Flag is paraded through the streets
of Tacna.
Lord of
Locumba Festival (September)
A festive, cultural pilgrimage attended by local and foreign
worshippers. |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Carlos Cirini Santa Rosa.
South Pan-American Highway
Phone: (054) 84-4503 / 84-4783.
Land
Transport
Manuel A. Odria, National and International Service.
Calle Hipólito Unanue s/n.
Phone: (054) 72-7007.
24 hour National Service.
International Service: Monday to Sunday 4:00-23:00.
Francisco Bolognesi, Service within the department
Av. Circunvalación s/n.
Phone: (054) 71-1786.
Open: Monday to Sunday 4:00-21:00.
Railroad
Transport
Tacna-Arica-Tacna.
Calle Gregorio Albarracin 412.
Phone: (054) 72-4981.
Health Centers
Hipólito Unanue.
Calle Blondell s/n, Tacna.
Phone: (054) 72-8029.
24 hour service
Police
Stations
Nactional Police Station
Calle Callao 121.
Phone: (054) 71-4141.
Handicrafts
Markets
Most handicraft shops are located on blocks 6 and 7 of
Av. Bolognesi.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-21:00.
Post
Office
Av. Bolognesi 361, Tacna.
Phone (054) 72-4221 / 72-4641.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00. |
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