cusco – Page 5 – Pirwa Hostels BLOG

Inside the Basilica Cathedral of Cusco

August 16, 2015 Pirwa

The 16^th-century Basilica Cathedral of Cusco, which dominates the city’s main square, took nearly 100 years to complete. It was built on the site of Inca Wiracocha’s palace, in part with stones from nearby Sacsayhuaman Fortress, the Inca fortification which fell to the Spanish conquistadores during the conquest. It houses countless treasures collected over the centuries, from precious silver and gold artifacts to paintings and statues now considered colonial masterpieces.

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Celebrate Peruvian Independence during Fiestas Patrias this July

June 15, 2015 Pirwa

If you’ll be traveling through Peru in July, get ready to string up your red and white streamers and don your Peruvian flag pin! One of Peru’s largest celebrations of the year is Independence Days, celebrated the 28^th and 29^th of each July. The atmosphere is festive, with red and white decorations appear throughout the streets, and many Peruvians take advantage of the long weekend to travel and to celebrate with their families, enjoying traditional regional dishes throughout the country such as ceviche and causa in Lima, goat stew in the north, roast guinea pig and alpaca in the Andes, and stuffed chili peppers in Arequipa to name just a few. Throughout Peru there’ll be fairs and street parties, outdoor concerts and fireworks shows, impromptu serenades in the plazas and parks, folkloric dance parades, and bullfights.

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Official Program: Inti Raymi & the Anniversary Celebrations of Cusco (second two weeks)

May 19, 2015 Pirwa

During the last two weeks of June, there will be ten parades, three open-air concerts with light shows and the occasional fireworks, some food fairs, the legendary Inti Raymi Sun Festival, and much ringing of bells, raising of flags, and firing of guns. Here’s the official program for Inti Raymi and the second two weeks of Cusco’s anniversary month celebrations (the anniversary program for the first two weeks can be found here). The most elaborate events are in red so you know what to prioritize, but do as much as you can and don’t miss the fun!

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The Official Program: Corpus Christi & the Anniversary Celebrations of Cusco (first two weeks)

May 18, 2015 Pirwa

We’ve finally got the official schedule for Cusco’s Corpus Christi Festival and the first two weeks of Cusco’s anniversary month! It all starts with the official launch on Sunday, May 31st and is chock full of processions and parades. If you’re confused about some of the events planned, take a look back at our recent post Racing Saints and Guinea Pigs to learn about how Corpus Christi is celebrated in Cusco. Without further ado:

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Tickets Going on Sale for the Inti Raymi 2015 Festival in Cusco

May 9, 2015 Pirwa

There’s no better time to visit Cusco than during Inti Raymi, the Sun Festival, still the year’s most important festival ever since the time of the Inca empire, when Inti Raymi honored the supreme deity, the sun, and celebrated the end of one agricultural year and the beginning of the next. Two weeks of concerts, dancing, and fairs kick off each June 21^st during the Andean Winter Solstice, in what has become South America’s 2^nd largest festival. During this time Cusco honors its history through elaborate and massive reenactments and colorful celebrations that attract tens of thousands of spectators. Ticket sales will begin this Monday!