Several cultures developed in Puno such as the Pucará culture between 100 BC and 300 AD. They were the predecessors of the Tiahuanaco culture that developed between the Lake Titicaca and Bolivia between 300 BC and 1000 AD. This culture mastered the monumental architecture in carved stone. An example of this is the “Puerta del Sol” (Gate of the Sun) that has the god Viracocha engraved on it.

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, Puno was a marginal village located between the territories of the Kollas (Quechuas) at the north and the Lupacas (Aymaras) at the south.

By the end of the 16th century, ruled by the Lupacas, Puno reaches progress in terms of agriculture, culture, cattle raising and social organization. Among the most representative remains of the Aymara architecture we can find the Sillustani chullpas. The Kollas extended to the north of the territory between what is Juliaca nowadays and the Ramis river at the southeast of the Lake Titicaca.

After the arrival of the Spaniards, Puno was a humble town that was later named capital of Paucarcolla in 1668, by the Count of Lemos, viceroy of Peru. At the same time, the name of the city changed from San Juan Bautista de Puno to San Carlos de Puno.

During the Independence war, Puno became an important point between Peru and Rio de la Plata in Argentina. It was also the setting of the war between Peru and Bolivia with the latter occupying the Tacna and Moquegua territories until the signing of the 1847 treaty.

Puno is located south of the country. It shares border at the north with Madre de Dios, at the east with Bolivia and the Lake Titicaca, at the south with Tacna, with Moquegua at the southwest and with Arequipa and Cusco at the west.

It has a total area of 66,997 km²   and a population of 1,415,608 inhabitants. Puno region is located in the plateau, between 3,812 and 5,500 m. a. s. l. and its capital, that has the same name, is located at the shore of the Lake Titicaca.

The lake has three islands (Taquille, Amantaní and Soto) and six island archipelagos (Chirita, Ustute, Quipata, Chilata, Suasi and Esteves.) Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.

Lake Titicaca is definitely Puno’s main attraction. There are different excursions on the lake such as the visit to the Uros floating islands, which are islands made of cattail by the inhabitants themselves, who maintain them every year. It is also usual to visit the Taquile and Amantaní islands which still preserve their traditions, garments and language.

Those who like adventure can go on an excursion on the lake by kayak.

The chullpas of Sillustani (45 minutes from the city) are other attraction you can visit in Puno as well as the Lampa city and church (90 minutes from Puno) where the only replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà is kept.

Puno’s most important festivity is the Virgin of Candelaria (Virgen de la Candelaria). The celebration starts the first days of February every year. This festivity was declared as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in November 2014.   It is one of the most representative festivities in terms of culture, music, dance and religion in Peru due to the great amount of manifestations of art and culture symbols from the Quechua and Aymaras cultures.

The dance groups and troupes are prepared several months in advance. They design bright and colorful costumes that highlight the dance steps. It is a strong manifestation of our country’s folklore.

In Puno, we can also find restaurants offering alpaca tenderloin and trout dishes with local vegetables and native potatoes. The zone’s pizzas also have a great acceptance due to the Andean cheese used in their preparation and the clay oven used to cook them.