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The City of Puno is one of Peru's
foremost tourist destinations and one of the most interesting
spots on the continent. Few cities lie by the shores of
such a extraordinary body of water as Lake Titicaca, the
world's highest navigable lake.
Legend has it that from the waters of Lake Titicaca emerged
Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, the mythical founders
of the Inca empire. The area also gave rise to one of the
greatest pre-Inca civilizations, that of Tiahuanaco, the
maximum expression of the ancient Aymara people.
The Spaniards founded the city of Puno in 1668. It is a
city rich in local mestizo art, the fusion of native and
Spanish styles in its colonial balconies, weavings and pottery.
However, a greater attraction lies a bare 10 blocks from
the main square: Lake Titicaca, which covers an area of
8,560 square kilometers and which local fishermen row across
on rafts made from totora, a type of reed that grows along
the shore. There are also motorboats for hire for visitors.
The lake is also dotted with dozens of islands, each of
them with their own characteristics and peculiarities. The
floating islands of the Uros, whose inhabitants descend
from one of the oldest known tribes in the Americas, feature
typical native huts made from reeds. The inhabitants of
Taquile island, meanwhile, still use traditional weaving
techniques that tourists can learn if they decide to stay
the night there and accept the traditional hospitality of
the locals. In other cities around the department like Pucará,
stand out for their superb pottery, while visitors can explore
the chullpa stone burial towers at Sillustani, built by
the Tiahuanaco culture. The area is also famous for its
traditional festivals such as the Virgen de la Candelaria
and dances like the Diablada, celebrated in February, an
ideal time to visit the area. An unforgettable experience. |
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