Discover Calca: History and Festival Traditions

Calca offers several points of interest for a culturally focused trip: pre-Columbian walls in the townscape, religious festival traditions, an art collection, and markets. If you are looking for a hotel in Calca, these themes can help you tailor your planned stay to your interests.

Historical Heritage in Calca

Pre-Columbian walls have been preserved in the streets and squares of the present-day town. The main square and the colonial church of Calca are among the town’s attractions. The image of the Virgen Asunta is also connected with Calca’s history: it has been here since the colonial period and arrived from Spain in 1753.

A report published in 2012 lists a collection at the San Pedro Apóstol Church comprising 66 panel paintings, 38 polychrome sculptures, and 15 carved and gilded frames. The different pieces represent painting, sculptural works, and elaborately decorated frames. Together, they offer a concrete impression of the range of this church art collection.

Festival Traditions and Dates

During the celebration of the Virgen Asunta, the image is carried in a procession through the streets and across Calca’s square after Mass. Worshippers perform more than 20 dances during the Festividad. The procession and dances give the religious festival different forms: it combines the image’s route through the town with performances by worshippers.

This is distinct from the staging of the myth of Unu Urqo in the district of Calca. It takes place every first Sunday in October. From 10 a.m., visitors gather in the open area of the Unu Urqo archaeological zone to watch 200 local performers. If you are planning your trip specifically around this date, check the event details in advance.

Urqo in the District

In Urqo, within the district of Calca, there are a tower and a huaca known as Wiracocha Urqo. Access to the Urqo archaeological zone begins at Calca’s main square. First, the route follows 2 kilometers of paved road, with a stated travel time of 5 minutes. Then, 2 kilometers along a passable unpaved track take 10 minutes to reach the structures and the carved rock. Road surfaces and travel times may change; check them before your visit.

Markets and Local Clothing

There are two popular markets in Calca, where a wide variety of food is available for sale. A Sunday market is held in Calca every Sunday. Residents of neighboring communities bring products to sell and wear traditional clothing. The market day therefore encompasses both the sale of goods and visible clothing traditions.

The textiles and garments in the communities of the district of Calca also vary in their details. These include colors and Chumpi or Pallay patterns, as well as decorations on Ch’ullus and Monteras. The size of the ponchos, as well as the number and design of the Pollera skirts, also vary. These features show that local clothing encompasses a variety of patterns and forms rather than being limited to a single style.

When planning, you can first decide which aspects are most important for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Huarocondo, Las Cruces, Checacupe, Sicuani, Chillca, Lamay, Quillabamba, Ollantaytambo

For the broader travel overview: Cuzco.