Humahuaca Department: Landscape and Cultural Heritage

Humahuaca Department appeals to travelers who want to explore landscape and cultural heritage together. The defining feature is the Quebrada de Humahuaca; archaeological sites, a monument, and a historic chapel add their own distinctive highlights. This makes it possible to explore the destination through different themes: from the mountain valley and its cultural landscape to evidence of agriculture, architecture, and religious tradition.

The Quebrada as a Cultural Landscape

The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a narrow, dry mountain valley about 155 kilometers long, crossed by the Río Grande. The Quebrada also runs through Humahuaca Department. In 2003, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape. Its length describes an extensive valley area; individual archaeological and architectural sites offer their own distinct thematic highlights.

Numerous archaeological sites and architectural heritage sites have been preserved in the Quebrada’s valleys. Indigenous traditions are passed down from generation to generation. The character of this cultural landscape therefore encompasses both architectural and archaeological remains and traditions handed down over time. When choosing this destination, you can consider individual historical themes as well as the landscape.

Archaeological Sites and Remembrance

In Humahuaca Department, Coctaca is the largest and most complex pre-Hispanic agricultural Inca complex in Jujuy Province and probably one of the most significant in the Argentine Republic. The complex offers a particular archaeological focus on Inca agriculture. Inca Cueva, by contrast, is known for the great value of its rock paintings. The two sites thus represent different aspects of the department’s archaeological heritage.

The Monumento a los Héroes de la Independencia stands on Cerro Santa Bárbara and can be reached via a monumental stone staircase. It commemorates the struggle for independence and honors the people’s anonymous participation in it. A nine-meter-tall bronze sculpture of an Indigenous person dominates the monument; reliefs of Indigenous people and gauchos complete the ensemble. Here, clearly defined historical remembrance combines with striking sculptural forms.

Church Art in Uquía

The first documented construction phases of the Capilla de la Santa Cruz y San Francisco de Paula in Uquía date back to the 17th century. Its architectural features include adobe brick walls and a gilded altarpiece. The church’s artistic heritage includes nine 17th-century arquebusier angels from the Cuzco School. The building’s history, materials, and sacred art thus offer different perspectives on this named landmark.

The gilded main altarpiece has three vertical sections and three tiers and is considered unique in the region. The references to sections and tiers describe its layout in terms of width and height. Along with the adobe brick walls and angels, these details also make the chapel interesting to travelers with a particular interest in architecture and craftsmanship.

The annual celebration in honor of the Santo Patrono takes place at the church in Uquía on May 3. This recurring date adds a religious tradition in the yearly calendar to the architectural and artistic features. If you are interested in traditions like this, the celebration is another factor to consider when choosing when to travel.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Iruya, General José De San Martín Department, Los Andes Department, Cachi Department, Rosario De Lerma Department, Rivadavia Department, La Viña, Orán Department.

For the main travel overview: Salta.