UNESCO World Heritage in Peru

Currently, 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are part of the World Heritage in Peru. Among them are nine artistic monuments, two natural sites and two mixed cultural and natural sites. These sites are of great cultural and natural value not only to the inhabitants of Peru, but also to the rest of the world's population. Unfortunately, one site is on the Red List of World Heritage in Danger.

Cuzco city

The city of Cuzco was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1983. It was remodeled and rebuilt by the Incas starting in the 15th century and became the capital of the Tawantinsuyu Inca Empire. The empire covered much of the South American Andes between the 15th and 16th centuries. The urban structure of the Inca city was preserved with the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Temples, monasteries and mansions were built over the city. Cuzco represents 3,000 years of indigenous and autonomous cultural development in the southern Andes of Peru.

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Along with the city of Cuzco, Machu Picchu has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983. Amidst a tropical mountain forest lies the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This was probably the most impressive urban creation of the Inca Empire at its peak. It is among the greatest artistic and architectural achievements of all. It is also the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca period. The sanctuary's massive yet refined architecture blends excellently with its natural surroundings. With which it is intricately connected.

The ancient Inca city is also on the list of the "New Seven Wonders of the World".

Chavin (archaeological site)

The former cult site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. It is one of the earliest and most famous pre-Columbian sites. It is also the namesake of one of the ancient civilizations of South America. It was an important center for the spread of a cult that extended over a wide area of the Andes. The site is an exceptional example of the architectural, technological and symbolic creations of the early pre-Columbian civilization in the Peruvian Andes.

Huascarán National Park

In 1985, the National Park was declared a World Heritage Site. It is located in the "Cordillera Blanca". This is the name given to the northern Andes of Peru. What makes this place a breathtaking beauty are the deep canyons, glacial lakes and the diversity of vegetation. It is also home to numerous animal species such as the spectacled bear and the Andean condor. The national park covers 340,000 hectares and includes a varied mountain landscape.

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone

Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimu kingdom in the 15th century, before the empire fell to the Incas. Since 1986, the city built of clay has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But because it was built exclusively of clay and due to the current climate change, the site is now on the endangered world heritage list.

Manú National Park

The national park was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is home to an incomparable variety of animal and plant species in 1.5 million hectares. Some of them are still undiscovered. But rare animal species also find refuge in the national park, such as the giant otter. This part of the Peruvian Amazon is still in its original state.

Historical old town of Lima

Once the "City of Kings," Lima is now the capital of the South American country. In 1988, the old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was expanded in 1991. The city was considered the cultural, economic and political center of the colonialists from Spain until the middle of the 18th century.

Río Abiseo National Park

The national park, like Machu Picchu, has been on both UNESCO World Heritage lists since 1990, and was established in 1983 to protect the characteristic fauna and flora of this Andean region. On the territory of the park there are 36 pre-Columbian cities. They give a good picture of the pre-Incan society.

Ground drawings of Nazca and Palpa

Since 1994, the Nazca and Palpa lines and geoglyphs have been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lines were carved into the earth's surface between 500 BC and 500 AD. Because of their quantity, type, size and continuity, they are among the greatest mysteries of archaeology.

Arequipa Historic City Center

In 2000, the historic center of Arequipa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its nickname "white city" is due to the large number of buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic stone from the area. The old town is surrounded by buildings such as churches and mansions from the Spanish colonial period with the influences of indigenous architecture.

Holy city Caral-Supe

The city of Caral-Supe is the oldest urban settlement known in the Americas. In 2009, the city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 5000 years old, it is located on a dry desert terrace overlooking the valley of the Supe River. The site is exceptionally well preserved and impresses with the complexity of its architecture.

Qhapaq Ñan - Andes road system

The road system is often compared with the Silk Road in Asia. This is because it served as the Inca's connecting road to the north and south. It runs through six different countries, including Peru. The road, which is over 6,000 kilometers long, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.

Archaeoastronomical Complex of Chanquillo

The last UNESCO World Heritage Site of Peru for the time being is the Archaeoastronomical Complex of Chanquillo and it was only included in 2021. This is a prehistoric site on the north central coast of Peru. It was used as an ancient calendar that defined dates throughout the year with the help of the sun. The 13 towers that stretch along a ridge and Cerro Mucho Malo helped in the accurate determination.

Would you like to see the world heritage sites with your own eyes and travel sustainably through the country of Peru? Then check out our Peru group tour and let yourself be captivated by the beautiful landscape.

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