History of Puno

Being the birthplace of the Tiahuanaco Culture, one of the most important pre-Hispanic cultures and the utmost expression of the Aymara people, Puno is considered to be a town of legends.

According to one of them, manco Capac and mama Ocllo, who received instructions from their father, the Sun God, to found the tahuantinsuyo Empire, merged from Laka Titicaca. The Inca Empire was divided into four regions - or suyos - one of them being Collasuyo, which spread over the entire Plateau of Collao, including Puno.

When the Spaniards reached Cusco in the mid 16 th century, they beard of the great mining wealth of this region, especially gold and silver. The bloody battles ensuing in the 17 th century over th possession of the Laikakota Mines (9km west from the City of Puno ) forced the Viceroy, Count of Lemos, to travel to the area and to pacify it, resulting in the founding of the present City of Puno , capital of the department. Founded on November 4, 1668 , it was named San carlos de Puno.

With the passing of time, in their effort to evangelize the native people of the peruvian altiplano, Spanish priests erected beautiful churches, with artists from Puno implanting their original style.