Otuzco

About

Settled since the dawn of civilization, Otuzco has seen indigenous culture blend with Spanish, making for a predominantly mestizo population in this city. Backed by the soaring Andes, the narrow streets are lined with elevated houses with wide doors and tiled roofs; the city square dominated by a distinctive Baroque cathedral constructed from grey volcanic stone. The city is known as Peru’s Faith Capital, and every December, thousands of pilgrims walk the 73km from Trujillo, ascending from sea level to Otuzco’s 2641m altitude to pray to the Virgen de la Puerta in a week-long festival.