Ayacucho has primarily four museums in the city center. Each allows one to better understand the culture, history and the craftsmanship of the Peruvian people through the ages.
Below is a brief summary of each museum, the cost to visit, and its visiting hours:
Casa Vivanco (Museo Andrés A. Cárceres) – Located on Jr. 28 de Julio #508. Open currently Monday to Friday 9:00-1:00 / 15:00-17:00 and Saturday 9:00-13:00. This is a two-storey building and provides a history of some of the battles fought by Peru, especially between Peru and Chile. Historical items found in this museum include older Peruvian currency, sculptures in Huamanga stone, colonial ceramic pieces, religious paintings, leather trunks, and weaponry used in battles fought between 1879 and 1883. Many items involving General Andrés A. Cárceres are found in this museum.
Entrance fee: 2 soles (less than $1 US).
Additional information: I found that it was useful to know some Spanish to read the labels and history of each item, as nobody was really around to explain anything to tourists.
Museo de Arte Popular "Joaquín Antay" - Located in Ayacucho's Plaza de Armas, Portal Independencia #72. Current hours of operation are Monday to Friday 8:00-13:00 / 13:30-15:15. The museum itself is not clearly indicated from outside. It is located on the bottom floor of the entrance to "Universidad Nacional de San Cristobal de Huamanga". This art museum contains a variety of local art. A guide is sometimes available for explanations of the pieces. Current pieces include religious art made from materials such as Huamanga stone.
Entrance Fee: Free
I.N.C. (Instituto Nacional de Cultura) - Museo de Arqueología Regional "Hipólito Unanue" - Located on Avenida Independencia #502 (complejo Simon Bolivar) D.R.C. Currently open Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-13:00 / 15:00-17:00. If you are leaving from the Museo de Arte Popular, you can walk from the Plaza de Armas to Jr. Asamblea. When you reach "Telefónica" at the corner, pick up the route #3 bus, and get off at the university. The agricultural museum is located just after the university. Or, you may like to walk the same route if you have the time and energy.
This was my favorite museum for content, education and history. It contains a summary of the people and time lines of Peruvian cultures, including the Wari, Incan and Chancan peoples. Examples of unearthed instruments, bones, ceramics, stonework and artwork through the ages are on exhibit here.
Entrance fee: 2 soles.
Additional information: The "Historia de la Industria Gráfica y el Periodismo Ayacuchano" is located in another building across from the museum and does not have an entrance fee. It contains examples of machinery and printed material, and a variety of archived pieces that were found in Ayacucho.
Museo de la Memoria– Located on Prolongación Jr. Libertad #1229. Open currently Monday to Friday 9:00-13:00 / 15:00-18:00. The entrance to the museum is not clearly marked. A restaurant is located on one side of the building, and the entrance to the museum is on the other side. The actual museum is found on the third storey.
If you are leaving from the Archeological museum, you may like to take a "micro", or small three-wheeled "taxi" to this museum. The ride should cost 1 sol.
This museum contains a vivid description of the history of the terrorism by "The Shining Path" and its extensive consequences from the years 1980 to 2000. Much like other museums that inform about darker days in human history, there are many stories of personal tragedy and some descriptions of torture. It can be an emotional experience for many. Therefore, this museum is best for those who can appreciate the depth of emotions without becoming overly disturbed. Some descriptions are included in English, but the majority of the information is in Spanish. A well-documented time line of events leading up to the terrorism and the aftermath are noted. At the end of the tour, pictures are posted of some of the victims' family members to give an idea of the number of people impacted by this tragic time in Peruvian history. I found this history very educational, and can better appreciate how deeply affected some families are by those lamentable times.
Entrance fee: 2 soles per person.
The museums are all walkable in about half a day. However, not all of them are open the same days or hours, so if you are planning on visiting all of them in one day, it is possible Tuesday through Friday, as some are closed on Mondays and parts of the weekends. Keep in mind that they may also be closed on certain holidays. The tourist information office located in the Plaza de Armas can help you to plan when to visit and provide maps on how to best locate the museums.
In reviewing these details of the museums found in Ayacucho's city center, hopefully you can better plan which ones will interest you. They will no doubt enhance your appreciation of Peruvian history and culture.
For more information on Ayacucho travel, see the articles "Ayacucho - Peru's New Tourist Destination" and "Travel to Ayacucho, Peru - Food, Sites and Shopping".
Source:
iPeru tourist information office located in Ayacucho, Peru
Brandy Pearce - As a seasoned traveler, dental professional, educator and jewelry designer, Brandy's articles are insightful, interesting, and full of ...
