Peru is a culture vulture’s dream destination. In a country where Quechua, Aymara, Amazonian, Afro-Peruvian, European and many more separate cultural identities exist, Peru’s diversity is something you’ll notice straight away. Combined with its rich history, this diversity has given Peru some of the best cultural attractions in the world.
What looks like a fairly run of the mill colonial church from the outside holds one of the most grimly impressive sights in Peru. In the bowels of this baroque convent you’ll find an enormous network of catacombs where it’s estimated that the remains of 75,000 people - the bones of whom are placed in all kinds of artfully macabre arrangements - have been laid to rest.
Prior to the nineteenth century, most of Lima’s cemeteries were located beneath churches - though none match San Francisco for either its volume of dead or the size of its labyrinthine catacombs. Don’t miss the spectacular library located upstairs inside the monastery.
Lima’s most bohemian neighborhood has a quiet, almost stately feel brought out by its beautiful nineteenth century cobbled streets. Situated by the Pacific Ocean, many of the city’s leading artists and designers have begun to call this barrio home and have created a thriving creative enclave here.
The beautifully situated Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) is a famous meeting point for lovers who come to wander the district’s flower-filled gardens and breathe the warm sea air (the area benefits from a unique microclimate, shielded as it is from cold southern winds by the nearby cliffs).
Arequipa is a full sixteen hours’ bus journey from Lima, but if you’re heading for Cusco or Lake Titicaca it makes a convenient stop-off. It’s worth giving this stone-clad city a couple of days however - it’s got more to offer than you might think.
Arequipa stands in the shadow of the snow-capped El Misti volcano and much of the city is carved from sillar - black-specked white rock taken directly from the volcanoes that surround the city. The highlight is the impressive (and colossal) 16th century basilica.
The city of Cusco probably deserves an entry all of its own. This colonial gem features on most people’s itinerary at some point, if only as a base from which to reach Machu Picchu. Belied by the colonial facades which dominate Cusco today, the city is in fact an ancient Inca ceremonial centre.
Sadly, you’ll only find hints of this in scattered ruins here and there. One of the city’s many highlights is the gothic-renaissance cathedral in the central Plaza de Armas. The Spanish, making a classic statement of religious and cultural superiority, built the cathedral on the site of an important Inca temple. The temple had been obliterated by conquistadors and the new edifice was built almost entirely from Inca stone pillaged at the nearby Sacsayhuaman complex. Inside, the cathedral contains important Peruvian art which illustrates the fascinating intertwining of pre-hispanic and European religious cultures.
Every man and his dog has heard of Machu Picchu and, yes, it’s plagued by thousands of tourists every hour of every day - but then it’s not your average cultural attraction.
Forever appearing on ‘things to do before you die’ lists, Machu Picchu was recently voted for inclusion amongst the new seven wonders of the world. All this might lead you to wonder whether such a place could ever really match the billing - don’t worry, it does. This is truly one of the world’s greatest treasures and more than lives up to its reputation. The Inca stonework here is spectacular and mind-bogglingly intricate considering the tools available to craftsmen at the time.
Undoubtedly however, the most breathtaking aspect of your visit will be the views - as you stare open-mouthed at the cloud forest-clad peaks in every direction, you’ll see why this spot was considered so perfect for the building of a hidden ancient city. You won’t want to leave.