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Tacna
Tacna, possessor of a moderate climate, nice people, and with a strong economic flow, is located around 52 kilometers from the Chilean border. The department was the ancient home of the Aymaras who traded diverse coastal products like ají peppers, fish, and shellfish. When the Spaniards arrived in the sixteenth century, the wine grape production spread to this area and that is the reason why you can visit the wineries of today’s that produce excellent wines and piscos. Today, along the streets of Tacna there are still some houses that maintain the traditional slanted roofs and in its parks and avenues, monuments, busts, and other reminders of Peruvian heroes who fought in the War for Independence (1821 – 1824) and the War of the Pacific (1879 – 1883) abound. The city of Tacna received the name of “Heroic City” in 1828.
Eight kilometers away from Tacna is the Monument to the Alto de la Alianza, where the Chilean army defeated the Peruvian-Bolivian troops and at whose feet a cemetery with hundreds of white crosses spreads outward.
Another attraction is the Miculla Petroglyphs (around 500), which are carved in low relief in the rocks of the area. These are estimated to be 1,500 years old.
The beaches along the coastline of Tacna are very busy during the summer; they are generally open and have rocky formations on the shore and a strong tide that offers pure contemplation.
Cathedral of the city of Tacna
In front of the Paseo Civico (Public Mall)
Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 7:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Its construction began in 1875 at the hands of the French firm of Alejandro Gustavo Eiffel. The New renaissance architectural design is created with stones quarried from the hills of Intiorko and Arunta. The work stopped, among other reasons, because of the War of the Pacific (1879) and the Chilean occupation. It was formally completed in 1954.
Pila Ornamental (Ornamental Fountain)
Located along the Paseo Civico
The responsibility for this sculpture was given to Frances Paul Lienhard, and it was forged in England by the Simpson foundry. It is six meters high and is composed of various fountains. The first sculpted group, of a Classic style, rises over a granite base which symbolizes the four seasons of the year and over the largest fountain, six meters in diameter, is another group that represents four naked boys holding hands. It was acquired and given to the city of Tacna by the governor, Mr. Jose Balta, in the year 1869.
Casa de Zela (Zela House)
Calle Zela 542
Visiting hours: 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
It was there that Francisco Antonio de Zela lived, an important forerunner to Peruvian independence. Today, it is the Salon Museo Arqueologico (Archeological Museum Hall) where ceramic and textile pieces, works of wood and metal, and pre-Hispanic fishing and basket weaving tools are displayed. The building was given the status of a national historic monument in 1961.
Teatro Municipal(City Theater)
Pasaje Calderón de la Barca, in front of the MacLean Plaza
It was built in 1870 by the Spanish engineer Constantine Martinez del Pino and inaugurated years later by President Jose Antonio de Pezet. The two story building exhibits a façade made entirely of quarried stone. In its main hall, many valuable paintings are displayed that show illustrious Tacna natives such as the poet, Federico Barreto, the painter, Francisco Laso, and the historian, Modesto Molina. The theater was declared a historic and artistic monument in 1972.
Museo Ferroviario (Railroad Museum)
Located at the intersection of Calle Gregorio Albarracin and Avenida 2 de Mayo
Telephone: (052) 72-4981
Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Placed in the old Tacna-Arica railway station, the location is particularly attractive because it has been preserved intact with many of the elements used during the second half of the nineteenth century, the time that it was destroyed. The exhibition gives the traveler an idea of the historical process of the railway.
Parque de la Locomotora (Locomotive Park)
Avenida Grau
This was built to house the hundred year old Engine Number 3 model 1859 built in Pennsylvania, which carried Peruvian troops to defend the Arica Hill during the War with Chile (1879). During the Chilean occupation, the engine continued working between Tacna and Arica. In 1940, it broke down but was repaired and put into the park in 1977.
Museo Histórico del INC(National Cultural Institute Historical Museum)
Calle Apurimac 202
Telephone: (052) 71-1171
Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Located in the center of the city one block away from the City Hall, it was created in 1957. The Tacna Public Library is housed there. In the rooms, you can see documents and objects from the time of the emancipation, independence, and the war with Chile.
Arco Parabólico(Parabolic Arch)
Located along the Paseo Civico
Eighteen feet high, it was raised in honor of the heroes of the War of the Pacific, like Admiral Miguel Grau and Colonel Francisco Bolognesi. Its construction is made of quarried pink stone. The then president Manuel Prado inaugurated it.
Alameda Bolognesi (Bolognesi Way)
Located two blocks from the Paseo Civico
It is one of the most traversed streets in the city. Underneath la Alameda runs the Caplina River in a perfect canal.
Casa Jurídica (Courthouse)
Calle Zela 716
Telephone: (052) 71-5225
Here the parties signed the Act of Submitting Tacna to Peru on August 28, 1929. It also houses the Reincorporation Museum, the Tacna Art Gallery, and the Historic Department Archives.
Alliance Field Monument
8 km north of Tacna (10 minutes by car)
Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
It was created to honor the combatants of the Batalla del Alto de la Alianza, a battle during the War with Chile, May 26, 1880. The Site Museum shows weapons of the time, guns, sabers, parade uniforms, letters, documents, and a model of the battle. It is located northeast of Intiorko Hill on the location of the battlefield.
Valle Viejo de Tacna (Old Tacna Valley)
A large natural area located between 670 and 1,090 m.a.s.l. It is approximately 23 km long and includes the Districts of Pocollay, Calana, and Pachia, which are 94, 14, and 18 km from the city of Tacna respectively. The climate is temperate and dry. Various traditional restaurants are located there, perfect to enjoy the typical food of the region.
Calientes – Pachia Hot Springs
22.8 km east of Tacna (20 minutes by car)
Placed on the shores of the Caplina River 1,400 m.a.s.l., they are known for their therapeutic properties for people suffering from neuro arthritic or skin disorders. The temperatures fluctuate between 36ºC (96.8ºF) and 39ºC (102.2ºF). You can find food and lodging in the areas near them.
Miculla Archeological Complex
22 km northeast of Tacna (15 minutes by car)
It is surrounded by an impacting desert vista combined with small hills and under the protection of two larger hills, Wawapas and Miculla, at 1,200 m.a.s.l. Investigators believe that its age is somewhere between the time of the Tiahuanaco culture (500 A.D) and the years of 1100 – 1445 A.D. The complex covers an area of approximately 20 km2, and there are rock paintings made with red patina on calcareous and silicate rocks.
The scenes include drawings of human beings hunting, dancing, or fighting, animals like the Andean deer, cougars, suri alpacas, snakes, lizards, foxes, and others, representations of constellations and as yet undefined images. In the surrounding area, you can watch typical animals of the region like foxes, lizards, snakes, eagles, and other birds, as well as local flora like Peruvian pepper trees, jaros, chieñes, chilcas, and cacti.
Boca del Rio Beach Resort (TheRiver Mouth)
52 km southwest of Tacna (25 minutes by car)
Located at the mouth of the Sama River, its beach is considered the best in Tacna since it is wide and flat with shallow water. In the surrounding areas, there are lodging, eating, and entertainment services.
Los Palos Beach (The Sticks)
41 km from Tacna (20 minutes by car)
It is an open beach with few waves and tranquil waters. There are bungalows for lodging that dot the beach as well as restaurants.
Source Promperu
