Chachapoyas, Peru

Situated in the mountains far from the Peruvian coast, Chachapoyas remains fairly isolated from other regions of Peru.

The city's original locations were abandoned due to climate, disease and a lack of defenses against rebelling local groups.

The city still preserves its wide colonial casonas of big courts and lounges, with roofs made of tiles.

Located on the south side of the plaza is a monument to the "Hero of Arica", colonel Francisco Bolognesi.

From the viceroyalty period dates the legend that the Indian chief Pantoja asked the viceroy for permission to put a gold roof in his house.

People used to celebrate the San Juan de los Indios' festivities in this square with eight days of bullfighting.

In this place stands the well of Yana Yaku (Pozo de Yanayacu), originally known as the Fuente Cuyana.

The well was constructed in the same place in which, according to legend, Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo brought forth water from a rock, ending the drought that was plaguing the region.

According to the legend, when a person drank water from the first jet, love was born, but from the second one hate or negligence was produced.

In the city, it was said that the foreigner who drank from this "fountain of love", would be forever captivated by its beautiful women and its wonderful grounds that are full of delight.

To get there we must travel about 9 kilometers (20 min) by road northward from the center of Chachapoyas to the Huanca district, and finally we will have to walk an hour to find the famous Petroglyphs of Pitaya.

Huancas.
Buildings in Chachapoyas