Brief historical description of the city of Ica

Ica was inhabited by towns belonging to the Paracas and Nazca cultures (2500 AD – 1400 BC) This historic phase is characterized for a rational management of water and desert terrains. Likewise, they excelled for a singular skill in the manufacture of ceramic, texture, felling of wood, metallurgy, jewels and by the fishing of innumerable marine species.
On June 17, 1563, Don Luis Jerónimo de Cabrera founded the first hispanic site with the name of Villa de Valverde de Ica. Years later in 1968 by reason of the earthquakes, himself move of place giving the name of San Jeronimo de Cabrera de Ica. Finally, after successive changes, is established in the place that at the present ocupies and it’s reconized like City. One of the most important events was realized in the main square of the city on October 20, 1820, when Juan José Salas, Mayor of Ica gave the first liberating cries in Peru proclaiming the national independence.

Other information

Ica is the birthplace of Sérvulo Gutierrez and Abraham Valdelomar. Among the illustrious charecters that were born in this warm land of dunes and huarangos figure, José de la Torre Ugarte, author of the National Anthem, Carlos Pedemonte y Talavera, president of the First Constituent Congress, Abraham Valdelomar, Novelist and Short Story Writer, Raul Porras Barrenechea, irrefutable defender of the frontiers, Sérvulo Gutierrez, one of the Biggest Peruvian Painters, and others.

Geographical Situation

306 km south of Lima, exist a place full of fascination, history and natural beauty, and although the modernization has not arrived completely to this city, Ica offers the color of its countryside, wine cellars, extraordinary deserts, dunes and excepational places.

• Altitute: 306 m above sea level.
• Weather: Warm and dry with a temperature between 27°C in summer and 18°C in winter.

The province of Ica has a surface of 7.8494.25 Km2 and it’s the capital of the department. It’s situated to the south of the republic capital to a distance of 300km, in the 14' 00" south latitude and 75º 43' 24" west lenght of Grenwich, to 408 m above sea level.

Districts

The department of Ica has 14 districts:

• Ica
• Parcona
• La Tinguiña
• San José de los Molinos
• Salas Guadalupe
• San Juan Bautista
• Subtanjalla
• Pueblo Nuevo
• Los Aquijes
• Tate
• Pachacutec
• Yauca del Rosario
• Santiago
• Ocucaje

Tourist Attractions

HUACACHINA LAGOON
About 5km south west of Ica, Famous natural tourist atracttion, unique in its kind having curative propoerties. It’s a place that conserve its beautiful sceneries thanks to the mirror that the lagoon has, surrounded by high dunes, palm trees and old huarangos.

 

SANCTUARY OF THE LORD OF LUREN
This sanctuary is ubicated at the tenth block in Ayacucho Street. It’s characterize to have three doorways with birck archs. It’s a neoclasical style. El Señor de Luren is the Patron Saint in the city and his venerated image goes out in all night processions in holy week and the third week in october. During this fistivity there are handicrafts and commercial village markets, and fireworks.

 

PISCO AND WINE PRODUCERS WINE CELLARS OR WINERIES (Bodegas)
Wine cellars can be found which conserve the traditional way in the elaboration of Piscos and Wines utilizing manufactured still in the colony age. The grape juice is distilled based in firewood, constituting a show and an event to begin distilling the famous “Pisco Iqueño”.

 

THE CATEDRAL OF THE CITY
It was an old jesuits temple until 1967, since that time was called church and finally Catedral of Ica. It has been renovated in 1914, preserving a piece of baroque in three naves and its neoclassical front in which can be read the three theologycal virtues: Faith, Hope and Clarity.
They emphasize in the inside pulpit beautifully worked in baroque style and the altars carved in wood.

 

LA PLAZA DE ARMAS (Main Square)
La Plaza de Armas has recently been renovated, but conserving its centennial trees as can be appreciated in the photo. The city enjoys a sunny weather and warm temperature most of time of the year.