UNESCO - City Of Cuzco, Peru

The City of Cuzco is a unique testimony of the ancient Inca civilization. Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre with distinct religious and administrative functions. It was surrounded by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production. When the Spaniards conquered it in the 16th century, they preserved the basic structure but built Baroque churches and palaces over the ruins of the Inca city. 

This postcard shows the Cuzco's main square Plaza de Armas. It has been nine long years since I've visited this place...I believe I should have explored it more. At the time I wasn't sending many postcards from my travels (and in the meantime I went manic haha) but have Andres to thank for this card, plus an awesome set of stamps showing ancient jewellery :)

UNESCO - Historical Centre Of The City Of Arequipa, Peru

Now here's a funny story...I spent a full week in Arequipa, but haven't sent a postcard. I guess because we were on a serious budget I just couldn't sent postcards from everywhere, and at the time UNESCO was not a collection. Still, I am surprised..! But now I know Andres to rectify it, gracias amigo :)

The historical centre of Arequipa, located in the Province of Arequipa at the foot of three snow-covered volcanoes, represents the integrated response of native hands and building techniques and characteristics with European designs, expressed in the admirable work of colonial masters and native masons. This combination of influences, and the response to an unstable ground due to earthquakes, is illustrated by robust walls, archways, porticos, vaults, courtyards and open spaces, and a strong indigenous influence in the intricate Baroque decoration of its facades.

The Tomb Of Lord Of Sipán, Peru

The Lord of Sipán tomb is a Moche culture site in Peru, found intact and untouched by thieves. It is located in the northern part of Peru close to the coast, 35 km east of town of Chiclayo.

Because of his high rank, the ruler was buried with six people; three women (possibly his wife & concubines but they had died some time prior to him), two males (probably warriors) and a child. On the roof of the burial chamber was a third guard with a male sitting in a niche overlooking the burial chamber. Among the animals found were a dog and two llamas.

It was really interesting to visit The Royal Tombs Museum of Sipán with the replica of the tomb and real jewelery, embroidered costumes, ceremonial clothes... :)

UNESCO - Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, Peru

The Chimu Kingdom, with Chan Chan as its capital, reached its apogee in the 15th century, not long before falling to the Incas. The planning of this huge city, the largest in pre-Columbian America, reflects a strict political and social strategy, marked by the city's division into nine 'citadels' or 'palaces' forming autonomous units.

Chan Chan is an archaeological site in the Peruvian region of La Libertad, five km west of Trujillo - it is the largest Pre-Columbian city in South America. It is severely threatened by storms from El Niño, which cause heavy rains and flooding on the Peruvian coast. I have been to this site twice, love the intricate designs like shown on the postcard :)

UNESCO - Historic Sanctuary Of Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Just loved the first sight of it, literally a dream come true :) When I was still in school I had a favourite book called 'Wonders of the Earth' - Machu Picchu was the first photo covering a whole page, and even then I knew if I was to travel to one place on another continent that would be it.

Sent from Aguas Calientes, the village closest to the site, reachable only by train or on foot.

UNESCO - Historic Centre Of Lima, Peru

The Historic Centre of Lima bears witness to the architecture and urban development of a Spanish colonial town of great political, economic, and cultural importance in Latin America. Although severely damaged by earthquakes, this 'City of the Kings' was, until the middle of the 18th century, the capital and most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America.

The Archbishop's Palace of Lima is the residence of the Archbishop of Lima and the administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima. It is located on the Plaza Mayor, on the land that Francisco Pizarro allocated to be the residence of the head priest of Lima after the foundation of the city in 1535; the current building was opened in 1924 and is considered a prime example of neo-colonial architectural that developed in Lima during the early twentieth century.

Two years ago I have visited Lima and quite a few other Unesco sites in Peru, but didnt concentrate on this collection at the time...The 2nd time around I had the opportunity to rectify it to some extent at least :)

UNESCO- Lines And Geoglyphs Of Nasca, Peru

Located in the arid Peruvian coastal plain, some 400 km south of Lima, the geoglyphs of Nasca and the pampas of Jumana cover about 450 km2 . These lines, which were scratched on the surface of the ground between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500, are among archaeology's greatest enigmas because of their quantity, nature, size and continuity. The geoglyphs depict living creatures, stylized plants and imaginary beings, as well as geometric figures several kilometres long. They are believed to have had ritual astronomical functions.

It must be quite an experience to fly over the Nazca lines, i hope it'll be 3rd time lucky and I'll be able to see them one day...The stamps show a curious creature called the bush dog (Speothos venaticus).

From Trujillo To Huaraz, Peru

The Moche civilisation in northern Peru existed between ca 100-800AD, and was noted for sofisticated gold and ceramics work, as well as monumental structures and irrigation systems.

Remains of an ancient Moche capital Cerro Blanco include Huaca de la Luna/Temple of the Moon, which is a large adobe brick structure presumably used for ceremonial and religious purposes.

Trujillo is a great base for exploring Moche temples (only 20% uncovered and already impressive!), as well as the Chan Chan archaeological site (Unesco).

I was amazed with all the history of Peru, which includes so much more than just the famous Incas! At the time i didnt yet collect unesco cards so have missed on sending cards like chan chan...but on the brighter side the lady at the post office was most friendly and helpful :D got some awesome stamps that i was afraid using in fear of losing thm, but these football stamps are just as cool (and applied by the postal lady, hence the upside-down overlap heh)

Another place not immediately associated with Peru, the grand Cordillera Blanca

(33 peaks over 5500 meters!)

We have stayed in Huaraz, the capital of the Ancash State - it is the 1st time i've noticed i'm short of breath cos of the high altitude, as the town is situated at over 3km-height. But we have gone higher from there: the beautiful Llanganuco lagoon in Huascaran National Park, and another WHS - Chavín de Huántar (Chavín culture dates to a millenium BC!). On the way to the latter the bus climbed to a mountain pass over 4km high, and on the other side we were greeted by an enormous statue of Jesus - one of the more surreal sights of the whole trip...

The local PO had new, fish stamps for me, yay :D

One more card i remember sending and that never arrived is from Lake Titicaca in Puno :( Sent another one to my friends back home on the same day from the same place, I do wonder how they got theirs and mine got stuck...:/ Of course I wish I was able to send many, many more cards, as we've also been in Lima, Cuzco and Arequipa...but this is brilliant too :))