Pisac Handicraft Market

In the wide range of Peruvian cultures we find the most apotheosic: The Inca Culture, thanks to its emblematic natural, cultural and of course architectural wonders is that we know much more about this great culture.

In the Cusco region we find different samples of this culture and some of these samples are mainly textile and pottery; this time we will know a little of these samples in the Pisac Handicraft Market.

The word Písac (or Písaq) comes from the Quechua word pisaq or p’isaqa, which means “partridge”, this beautiful archaeological zone built by the ancient Incas is based on figurative strokes of a partridge, as the name implies. We must remember that the bird is related to spirituality, with the mystical, with the spiritual values that the human being must develop.

The Craft Market:

During the Empire of the Incas, Pisac had great agricultural importance due to its fertile lands bathed by the Urubamba River and organized with great intelligence this great wealth by building terraces on the mountain; These were used to grow corn, quinoa, potatoes, kiwicha, etc.

The chronicles of the conquest, show that the main square soon became an important commercial area and then, in the market that is known today.

Nowadays…

At present, the Pisac market extends to the Plaza de Armas of Pisac, but it goes to the small streets around.

During the weekdays the Pisac market is small; However, the market is much larger on Sundays because this day the inhabitants of the town itself and surrounding communities offer all services including food stalls, fruits, organic vegetables and even some stalls with strange concoctions, used since the time Of the Incas.

Crafts:

The handicrafts section of the market is full of items and clothing related to the Inca culture, it can be the ideal place to buy gifts or souvenirs.

Here you will find different types of hand-woven products made of fine wool made of alpaca, sheep and other camelids in the region; keep in mind that in this market you can haggle.

Pottery:

The population of Pisac also stands out in the production of ceramics with motifs dedicated to Mother Nature, using earth colors and icons typical of the Inca culture.

The use of ceramics, as raw material for artisanal elaboration dates back to the Pre Inca era; Here you can also find an infinite number of options when choosing a ceramic.

Meals:

Take your time to tour the food section as you can find native and organic products, such as native potatoes, corn, rocoto, a kind of very hot pepper; in the same way the different fruits such as Pacay (an unusual fruit), peach or peach, grapefruit, etc.

Location:

In the Pisac market it is located 33 km from Cusco (approximately 1 hour) in the same town of Pisac; This visit can be made during the tour to the Sacred Valley.

Weather:

During the year there are two seasons:

In winter (from April to September) the temperature ranges between 2 ° and 20 ° C with a magnificent blue sky during the day and temperature drops at night.
In summer (from October to March) there are constant rains and the temperature varies between 7 ° and 21 ° C.
Pisac is part of the tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, so the weather is usually mild during most of the year, with some ups and downs during certain periods.

How to get?

You can arrive by hiring the services of a travel agency, the most recommended option; This market belongs to the Sacred Valley tour.
But you can also use the public transport that goes to the city of Urubamba that leaves every 15 minutes, you must get off at the whereabouts bridge and from there you must go to the Pisac square, the market is next to you.

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