Ayacucho
A region of Andean history and culture in south-central Peru, with many colonial churches and a Holy Week celebration famous nationwide.
Ayacucho lies in the Andes of south-central Peru. The capital, Ayacucho (Huamanga), preserves numerous colonial-era churches and old-town buildings, its Holy Week celebrations are among Peru's most famous religious festivals, and local crafts such as retablos and ceramics are quite distinctive. Nearby are the Wari archaeological sites, the Quinua battlefield of the 1824 Battle of Ayacucho, and the Inca ruins of Vilcashuamán. The May–September dry season is better for travel, and Ayacucho's airport has flights to Lima.