Chinchero District, Administrative district in Urubamba Province, Peru
Chinchero District is an administrative area in Urubamba Province situated at high elevation in the Andes mountains. The district contains scattered settlements, farmland, and several archaeological sites spread across its terrain.
The district was established in 1905 as an administrative division and sits above the remains of an Incan palace built by Tupac Yupanqui. Spanish colonization later transformed the landscape with the construction of religious buildings and settlements.
Local artisans work with wool using hand-spinning and weaving methods that have been passed down through their families. These traditional crafts remain an important part of how the community maintains its heritage today.
The Sunday market is the best time to visit and experience local activity, with farmers and artisans selling their goods. Good walking shoes and layers for cool mountain temperatures will make your visit much more comfortable.
A church built in the early 1600s rests on foundations of Incan stonework, and its ceiling displays both Catholic and Andean artistic patterns side by side. This direct blending of two cultures within one building is unusual to see.
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