Cajamarca
The origin of this city dates back over 3,000 years. Traces of pre-Chavín cultures can be seen in surrounding archaeological sites such as Cumbe Mayo and Kuntur Wasi. During the period between 1463 and 1471, Tupac Inca conquered the area and brought Cajamarca into the Tawantinsuyu, or Inca Empire. During this time it was ruled by Tupac's father, Pachacutec.
Cajamarca gained notoriety as the site where the last Inca emperor Atahualpa was murdered by the Conquistador Pizarro. It is said that Atahualpa, after his capture, tried to ransom himself by offering the Conquistadors one room full of gold and two rooms full of silver. After receiving the ransom, Pizarro charged Atahualpa with heresy and killed him by strangulation.
Cathedral of Cajamarca
Impresionante construccion de Origen Baroque
Atahualpa's ransom room
In exchange for his freedom, Atahualpa promised the Spanish conquistidors that he would fill two rooms with silver and one with gold. Each room would be filled to the height that Atahualpa could reach with his hand while standing.
