Pisco

Pisco, or Pisqu, was founded in 1640 on the location of an indigenous settlement of the same name. The city prospered because of the numerous vineyards in the area. It also became an important fishing port on the southern coast of Peru.

Pisco is a good place to stay if you want to explore the Península de Paracas and the nearby Islas Ballestas, both of which are included in the Paracas National Reserve and boast a lot of wildlife. There are several burial sites at the nearby town of Paracas.

The Chincha Islands are also close to the coast of Pisco. El Candelabro is an image of a giant lamp that was dug in the sand in the was used by the creators of the Nazca Lines.

Not far from Pisco is the well-preserved Inca site of Tambo Colorado. Other historical and archaeological interesting sites are scattered all over the area.

On the Plaza de Armas you can always fins sellers that sell tejas, small sweets made from pecans and assorted dried fruits. A statue of José de San Martín is located in the plaza, as well as the mansion he used to live in. The Municipal Palace is also located there.

San Clemente Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas was one of the countless buildings in Pisco that were severely damaged during an earthquake in 2007.

Construction of the Baroque Iglesia de la Compañía commenced in 1689.

There are several hotels and restaurants in Pisco. The town is 210 km southeast of Lima.