Puno is the capital of the department of Puno. It was founded by the Viceroy Count of Lemos, and given the name of "Villa Rica de San Carlos de Puno" in 1668. This was done to end problems associated with the possession of the silver mines of Laicacota by the brothers Gaspar and José Salcedo. The main features of the city are as follows: The Cathedral: Located in front of the Main Square, was finished in 1756. It has a single nave with the shape of a Latin cross. Its main facade is carved in granite with rich ornamentation, featuring native people. "El Balcón del Conde de Lemos" (The balcony of the Count of Lemos) Located at the corners of the streets Count of Lemos and Deustua, it is a beautiful Colonial balcony located on the house of the Count of Lemos. "El Mirador del cerro Huajsapata" (The mirador of the hill Huajsapata) Located in the west area of the city on a high hill giving a panoramic view of the city of Puno and Lake Titicaca. On the summit is found the statue of the Inca Manco Cápac. "Museo Municipal Dreyer" (Municipal Museum Dreyer) Exhibition of a collection of pre-Inca pieces. It is located at Conde de Lemos Street No. 289. "Museo de Arte Popular de Puno" (Museum of Popular Art of Puno) Exhibition of popular art pieces of the region. Located at Deza Street No. 257. "Arco Deustua" Built in homage to the Peruvian patriots combatants of the Junin and Ayacucho battles. We did not have time to visit these places as we spent our time visiting archaeological sites nearby. At one time, Lake Titicaca was the main route between Puno, Peru, and La Paz, Bolivia. Beginning in the 1870s, the iron ship Yavari plied the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca high in the Andes, carrying passengers and supplies to numerous communities along its shores. Meriel Larkin had the ship restored and it is docked at the main dock on the shore at Puno. It is quite a sight to see. We found the Hotel Libertador on Esteves Island to be the best hotel in the area and we found little need to visit the town itself. We visited this city on April 19, 2006 through April 21, 2006.
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| Puno City |
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| Puno City Downtown | Puno City Suberbs |
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| Puno City Suberbs | Puno City Suberbs |
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| Puma Uta Park Viewpoint | Puma |
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| Frogs | Serpant |
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| Serpant | Serpant |
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| Christo | Christ |
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| Yavari | Serpant |
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| Puno Harbor, Esteves Island Hotel Libertador | Infamous, Maximum Security Yanamayo Prison, Well Known For Human Rights Violations |
