Azángaro Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Azángaro

Azángaro is a city and provincial capital located in the Puno region of southern Peru. Functioning as the administrative center of the surrounding province of the same name, it stands as the fourth most populous urban area in the department, containing over twelve percent of the region's overall population. The city serves as a key local center for the surrounding rural communities.

The historical origins of the settlement extend back to the pre-colonial era at a site known as Macaya, where native inhabitants revered an idol crafted in the form of a cat with ruby eyes. Spanish expeditions arrived in November 1535 under Captain Don Manuel Ortiz Aguilar, after which religious leaders established the doctrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. During this period, an early church was built through the joint efforts of Father Tomas de San Martin and Acosta alongside the local cacique, Fabian Mango. Azángaro was formally incorporated into the Viceroyalty of Peru in 1542 and was later officially elevated to the status of a city in 1825.

Azángaro played a notable role in the region's independence movement during the colonial era. Following the execution of Tupac Amaru II, the central leadership of the revolutionary rebellion against Spanish authorities shifted to the town. In the centrally located Plaza San Bernardo, General Pedro Vilca Apaza was executed by being drawn and quartered for his military role in the liberation movement, uttering a famous final statement before his death.

Architecturally, the town is recognized for its historic colonial church, widely referred to as the golden temple. The interior features opulent colonial art decorated with gold, though some historical items were stolen in recent years. The building's bell tower was constructed from decorative colonial adobe, but prolonged rainfall severely deteriorated the structure, ultimately causing much of the tower to collapse.

The local economy in Azángaro relies primarily on livestock management, which represents the largest economic contributor to the area. Local farmers raise herds of cattle, sheep, and alpacas to generate meat, skins, milk, and wool, which are used for direct consumption or processed into goods such as cheese, yogurt, and leather. These pastoral activities are supplemented by basic agriculture, craft manufacturing, regional trade, and local transport services, while public medical care is provided through facilities such as the town's Hospital de Apoyo.