Ica

Ica is an area of great historic past. The first settlers date from 10,000 years ago, from which the Wari, Nazca, Ica and Paracas cultures developed, the latter being the most important.

The Paracas culture developed from the seventh through the second century BC. It is distinguished by its matchless textile skills, Trephinations, and the art of mummifying their dead.

The Nazca culture, on the contrary, well-known for its artistic pottery, in which colorful designs and representations excel over the form, the same as their famous lines and figures that have undergone implausible interpretations. This culture expanded from the second century BC through the seventh century AD. They have left us their wonderful aqueducts that made good use of underground water, of rivers and rain, showing a great knowledge of hydraulic engineering.

In the fifteenth century, during the Inca empire, Pachacutec incorporated the territories of Ica, Nazca and the Chincha valley.

Years later, in 1563, with the arrival of the Spanish, Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera founded the Villa de Valverde del Valle de Ica. Since then, the area became an important vineyard and cotton center.

During the independence war, General José de San Martín landed in Paracas and fixed his headquarters in Pisco, to start the fight for the independence of Perú.

The narrow desert fringe that stretches for more than 1,400 miles along Peru's & Lima Pacific Coast, has been called the driest desert on earth. Small oasis have formed where rivers, descending from the slopes of the Andes cross the desert. Here, people have lived for thousands of years.

These valleys are very fertile land and particularly in the south, the mild sunny climate sets an ideal environment for grape crops. Ica is the wine country of Peru. Excellent wine and Peru's very own famous "pisco", a very strong beverage extracted from white grapes, are produced in the area.

Grape harvest in cheerfully celebrated in Ica every year in March during the National Vintage Festival. Floats parade, marching bands, wine and grape tasting as well as commercial and hand craft exhibitions take place during the festival.

What to see in Ica

Vista Alegre Winery one of the oldest in Peru, founded in 1870 by the Picasso brothers, is presently the largest producer of pisco. The Regional Museum of Ica, one of the best regional museums in the country, even though it is small i holds a variety of archeological pieces such as pottery and textiles from the Nazca and Paracas cultures that developed in the area. Also exhibits colonial and other historic artifacts.

Huacahina Lagoon located 3 miles away from the city, is a small resort village surrounded by huge sand dunes and palm trees. A very inviting place to relax. This oasis scenery resembles that of a mirage. The warm deep green waters of the lagoon have medicinal properties.