Ayacucho
Ayacucho,
Peru is located in the sierra, 2,761 metres above sea level, is bordered by three rivers: the Mantaro, Pampas and Apurimac. Has a population of 140,000 people. Founded in 1539 as San Juan de la Frontera de Huamanga, because
Francisco Pizarro was concerned about the distance between
Lima, and
Cusco. In 1824, there was a battle, "La Quinua", near the town of Quinoa where the patriot army defeated the colonial regime, so
Bolivar changed the city's name to Ayacucho, which means "city of blood." Within the city is Picimachey Cave, which has remains more than 15,000 years old. Ayacucho is also known as the city of 33 (colonial) churches, such as
Santo Domingo, San Agustin and
San Francisco. The oldest churches in the city were built in the 15th century, and contain Spanish, Latin and Moorish influences.