Ayacucho
Ayacucho (Spanish pronunciation: [aʝaˈkutʃo] ⓘ, Quechua: Ayak'uchu) is the capital city of Ayacucho Region and of Huamanga Province, Ayacucho Region, Peru.
Ayacucho
Huamanga | |
|---|---|
Top: Ayacucho Basilica Cathedral, Second left: Plaza de Armas de Ayacucho (Ayacucho Square), Second right: Mirador Acuchinay Observatory, Third left: Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Third right: Mariscal Sucre Monument in Ayacucho Square, Bottom: Ayacucho Triumphal Arch | |
|
Flag Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: The City of Churches | |
Ayacucho Location in Peru | |
| Coordinates: 13°09′47″S 74°13′28″W | |
| Country | Peru |
| Region | Ayacucho |
| Province | Huamanga |
| District | Ayacucho |
| Settled | April 25, 1540 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Yuri Gutiérrez |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,981.37 km2 (1,151.11 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,761 m (9,058 ft) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 180,766 |
| • Density | 61/km2 (160/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Ayacuchano, -1 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (PET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (PET) |
| Area code | 66 |
| Website | http://www.munihuamanga.gob.pe/ |
During the Inca Empire and Viceroyalty of Peru periods the city was known by the name of Huamanga (Quechua: Wamanga), and it continues to be the alternative name of the city.
The city's name was officially changed to Ayacucho after a major victory of the revolutionary army led by Bolívar's lieutenants against the royalists.
Simón Bolívar issued the decree on February 15, 1825, changing the name from "Huamanga" to "Ayacucho", referring to a major battle for independence that established once and for all the total independence of the nascent Peruvian Republic, as stated by Bolivar's decree, "Obtained the victory in... Huamanga, its name must be changed, in a way that perennially reminds those inhabitants the origin of their freedom." The name Ayacucho is derived from the Quechua words aya ("death" or "soul") and k'uchu ("corner") in honor of the battle's casualties.
Ayacucho is famous for its 33 churches, which represent one for each year of Jesus' life. Ayacucho has large religious celebrations, especially during the Holy Week of Easter. These celebrations include horse races featuring Peruvian Caballos de Paso and the traditional running of the bulls, known locally as the jalatoro or pascuatoro. The jalatoro is similar to the Spanish encierro, except that the bulls are led by horses of the Morochucos.