TACNA

Location and Geography:
Known as the Heroic City, the city of Tacna, capital of the department of the same name, is located close to the city of Arica, Chile. Called a ZONA FRANCA, it is a city with much commercial and tourist movement. It also has great potential for mining and agriculture. It is situated at the foot of the Titicaca Plateau and is comprised of desert, volcanic and mountainous zones.

Altitude:
570m

Access Ways:
There are two possibilities: by highway or by plane.
By Land: Lima to Tacna (1,293 km) using the South Pan-American Highway, approximately 18 hours by car or 23 by omnibus.
By Air: There are currently flights between Lima and Tacna. The trip is approximately one hour and 35 minutes.

History:
The first human groups which lived in this region were hunter-gatherers, particularly of wild guanacos, vicuna and guinea pig. In the caves of Toquepala there are remains of cave paintings dating to 9000 BC. The area was later inhabited by ethnic groups from the Callao Plateau. The Spanish Conquerors reached Tacna in 1537, leaving the city with traces of colonial architecture.
The Tacnenos helped in the emancipation of Peru from the beginning, with Francisco Antonio De Zela leading the way. On May 26, 1828, President Jose de la Mar passed a law which gave the city the title Cuidad Heroica (Heroic City).
During the war with Chile, the people of Tacna and Arequipa fought on the front lines. Following the battle of Alto de la Alianza in 1880, the city was occupied by Chileans for fifty years. On August 28, 1929, Tacna was reintegrated into the Peruvian territory by virtue of the Lima Treaty. In remembrance of this date, the city now holds a parade.

Culture and Traditions:
FESTIVALS:

Cruces de Mayo:
All of the religious crosses are brought to the Cathedral where they are blessed by the Bishop of the Tacna and Moquega Dioceses.

May 26:
The Alliance Camp, the stage of the battle of Alto de la Alianza, is located a few kilometers outside of Tacna. Every 26th of May, the people of Tacna, students and the general public, assemble in the field to remember the fallen.

June 7:
Commemorates the Battle of Arica.

August 28:
The most important celebration in the city is Tacna Week, which is the week which includes August 28-30. On the 27th of August, they make the Ofrenda de la Juventud (Offering of the Youth). There is a parade on August 28th from Alto de Lima street to the Plaza de Armas to celebrate the reincorporation of Tacna into Peru. It is one of the most important patriotic demonstrations in all of Peru. The flag is carried by only Tacna women and is proceeded by fifty girls. The most recent ex-plebiscites open the procession. This ceremony started on the July 28, 1901 during the Chilean occupation of Tacna. 10,000 Tacnenos participated in the first procession.

October 15: Tacna Week is celebrated.


ATTRACTIONS - TACNA

The Cathedral:
Located on the Plaza de Armas, is of the neorenaissance style with very fine architectural lines. It was constructed by Eiffel.

The Fountain of Tacna:
Has long been called the Ornamental Fountain. It dates from before 1879. It was designed by the British sculptor Helen Hard in the classic Greek style, decorated with miniscule granite sculptures which represent the Greek gods of the wind. It is six meters in diameter.

The Jorge Basadre House:
Where he was born and lived part of his life. He was a Peruvian historian.

Juridical House:
In which one can find the Museum of Reincorporation and the paintings of Tacna.

Francisco de Zela House:
Which was declared a historic monument in 1961.

Railway Museum:
At the start of the Tacna-Arica Railway Station. It shows different machines used to connect the two cities as well as photographs from the beginning of the XX century.

Park of the Locomotive:
Which since 1977 has exhibited the Engine No. 3 which moved the Peruvian troops defending Arica from Tacna during the War of the Pacific.

The Parabolic Arch:
Located in the Plaza de Armas, was constructed in honor of the heroes of the War of the Pacific, Miguel Grau and Francisco Bolognesi.


OTHER ATTRACTIONS:

The Toquepala Cave:
With its cave paintings which date to 9000 BC in the mining area of Toquepala.

The Miculla Petroglyphs: Located in the district of Calientes, 22 km from the city of Tacna between the Wawapas and Miculla hills. The oldest petroglyphs are from 500 AD. They represent flora, fauna, constellations and rites of the drawers who used a red paint over a chalky rock.

The Site Museum of Alto de la Alianza:
Located 8 km from the city is the field of the battle of Alto de la Alianza, 1880. There is a monument in tribute to the defenders of their homeland in the Site Museum of Alto de la Alianza.

Weather:
It is temperate subtropical and desert. The average temperature is 18.6 ºC, with a maximum of 33 ºC and minimum of 8 ºC.

When to Travel:
Any time of year is fine due to its good climate, especially during the months of celebration.