Lampa: The Pink City, Sacred Architecture and Collections

Lampa combines a distinctive historic townscape with sacred art and diverse collections. Nearby, the Criadero de Chinchillas offers another subject of interest for visitors. When planning your stay, you can prioritize the attractions that interest you most: the buildings and collections reveal the town’s history, while chinchilla breeding offers a subject of its own.

The Pink City and the Arquerías de Sillar

Lampa is known as the “Pink City.” The nickname comes from historic adobe houses painted with pink Choccorosí or pink clay. The city’s name is therefore tied to a specific building tradition. If you are interested in architecture and local history, this background is a good starting point for understanding Lampa.

At the entrance to Lampa stand the Arquerías de Sillar: two sillar arches built in 1992. Their decorations depict the Ayarachis of Paratía, a vicuña, a condor and the sun. The material, form and imagery come together in a single structure. This architectural landmark is distinct from the historic adobe houses to which the name “Pink City” refers.

The Templo Santiago Apóstol and the replica

The Templo Santiago Apóstol was built between 1675 and 1685. Its Capilla de la Piedad houses one of two replicas of Michelangelo’s “La Piedad.” The aluminum-cast replica is mounted above the chapel. A notice beside it states that it was made in August 1960 with the authorization of the Archiprelature of the Vatican Basilica.

Two different dates are therefore associated with this site: the temple’s construction in the 17th century and the replica’s creation in 1960. The Capilla de la Piedad and the Osario are 100 meters, or a five-minute walk, from the Plaza de Armas. This distance gives you a concrete point of reference for both places.

Biblioteca Municipal and Museo Kampac

The Biblioteca Municipal de Lampa preserves an 1862 map of Peru and a lithograph on linen by the historian and geographer Mariano Felipe Paz Soldán. The library also displays awards for Enrique Torres Belón, as well as photographs, paintings and other material about Víctor Humareda Gallegos, who was born in Lampa. The map and lithograph are specific historical objects; the works about Humareda offer insight into the work of a painter born in Lampa.

The Museo Kampac in the city of Lampa displays objects from the Pukara and Colla cultures, as well as artifacts from the Inca period. Its collection also includes a mummy and a kero more than half a meter tall. The institutions thus have distinct focuses: the library features documents, depictions and material about individuals, among other things, while the Museo Kampac displays objects from different cultural contexts.

Library visitor information

Access to the Biblioteca Municipal de Lampa is via the Palacio Municipal from the Plaza de Armas. Inside the building, the library is behind a security barrier to the right of the main entrance. Check local access arrangements before your visit so you can take this information into account when planning.

The Criadero de Chinchillas nearby

The Criadero de Chinchillas is located near Lampa. The animals are kept in two stable buildings, with separate areas for females and males; drinking stations and feeding areas are also provided. The facility is well maintained. The Criadero is considered suitable for study and family visits where you can learn about chinchillas. As conditions may change, confirm the current situation and visitor arrangements locally before your visit.

The attractions are quite different: the town’s architecture, art and collections are the main focus within the city, while the Criadero adds an insight into chinchilla husbandry. You can plan your trip around the interests that matter most to you and take the relevant visitor information into account.

Discover more destinations: Mañazo, Huillanopampa, Tililaca, Ayculaca, Anapia, Chucuito, Isla Suasi, Tambopata

For the broader travel overview: Puno.