Jauja history

Foundation and Historical Roots

Jauja occupies a unique place in the annals of South America. The city was officially founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on April 25, 1534, under the name "Santa Fe de Hatun Xauxa." Notably, it was this city that became the first capital of Spanish possessions in Peru before this status was transferred to Lima in 1535.

However, the history of the settlement began long before the arrival of Europeans. Initially, these lands were inhabited by the Huanca people, and later, one of the most important administrative and military centres of the Inca Empire, Hatun Xauxa, was located here.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of Jauja into a significant centre was facilitated by a fortunate combination of geographical and logistical advantages:

• Strategic Location: The city was situated on the empire's main transport artery — the Great Inca Road (Qhapaq Ñan), connecting Cusco with the northern regions (modern-day Ecuador).
• Resources of the Mantaro Valley: Its location in one of the widest and most fertile valleys of the Andes allowed for productive agriculture, providing food for vast territories.
• Healing Climate: The dry and clean mountain air of Jauja has historically been valued as a means for improving health, attracting people from across the region.

Early Economy and Legends of Abundance

From the moment of its foundation, the city was famous for its incredible wealth of resources. The Spaniards were amazed by the scale of the Inca storehouses (qullqas), filled to the brim with grain, potatoes, and textiles.

This abundance gave rise to a fixed expression in the Spanish language, "¡Esto es Jauja!" (This is Jauja!), which became synonymous with a paradise where life is easy and full of prosperity. The economy of the early colonial period was based on active trade in textiles, wool, and agricultural produce, harmoniously combining indigenous traditions with new European farming methods.

Major Historical Milestones

• Around 1460: The region becomes part of the Inca Empire, and the settlement of Hatun Xauxa becomes one of the largest administrative centres and depots in the Andes.
• April 25, 1534: Francisco Pizarro officially founds the city following the Spanish model, proclaiming it the first capital of Peru.
• January 1535: Capital status is transferred to Lima due to its coastal location, but Jauja remains an important trade hub.
• 1565: The Corregimiento of Jauja is created, cementing the city's status as the administrative centre of a vast province during the colonial period.
• November 16, 1864: Congress officially establishes the province of Jauja within its modern boundaries, separating it from other territories in the region.
• Late 19th Century: The city gains international renown as a climatic health resort, visited by people from Europe and the Americas for the treatment of respiratory conditions.
• 1921: The Domingo Olavegoya Hospital opens, becoming a symbol of the city's medical specialisation and one of the most modern facilities of its time.
• 1948: The Francisco Carle Airport is put into operation, significantly simplifying access to the Mantaro Valley for tourists and residents.
• 2011: The traditional dance Tunantada, historically linked to Jauja, is officially declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

Stages of City Development and Transformation

The history of Jauja is a journey from an imperial warehouse to a modern trade hub. Let us highlight the key milestones that shaped the city's current economic and architectural appearance:

• Inca Logistics Centre (Hatun Xauxa):

  Before the arrival of the Spanish, the city was a crucial node on the Qhapaq Ñan road. The construction of thousands of storehouses (qullqas) for food and clothing made it the economic base of the region, defining its trading potential for centuries to come.

• Introduction of European Urbanism (1534):

  The founding of the city as the first capital of Peru brought the classic Spanish layout (the "chessboard" grid). This urban planning decision remains the foundation of the historic centre, where streets intersect at right angles around the main square.

• Colonial Textile Boom:

  The development of "obrajes" (textile manufactories) in the colonial era turned Jauja into a production centre. The trade in wool and fabrics ensured the city's economic independence and strong ties with Lima.

• Era of the "Climatic Resort" (19th – Early 20th Century):

  The fame of the valley's healing air attracted many Europeans and wealthy individuals to the city for tuberculosis treatment. This radically changed the cultural landscape and architecture, adding European style features to the city and stimulating the construction of hospitals and sanatoriums.

• Creation of the Air Gateway (1948 – Present):

  The construction of the Francisco Carle Airport was a turning point for logistics. Today, it is the only airport in the Mantaro Valley receiving commercial flights from Lima, securing Jauja's status as the region's strategic transport hub.

• Cultural Capitalisation and Tourism:

  The official recognition of the Tunantada dance as a national heritage transformed folklore into an economic resource. Annual festivals attract thousands of tourists, stimulating the development of the hotel and dining sectors.

Urban Structure

The architectural appearance of Jauja represents a clear example of superimposing European urban planning norms onto an ancient Andean landscape. After founding the city in 1534, the Spanish implemented the classic "chessboard" layout (damero). Streets intersecting at right angles form blocks around a central core — the Main Square (Plaza de Armas).

Despite the colonial reconstruction, the legacy of the Inca period is felt in the surroundings and foundations of the city, from when the administrative centre Hatun Xauxa was located here. Remnants of the ancient Qhapaq Ñan road system still influence the direction of some transport routes in the region.

Key Architectural Styles and Eras

Jauja's buildings reflect its transformation from the first capital to a quiet provincial town and climatic resort. Several dominant trends can be distinguished:

• Colonial Baroque and Renaissance (16th–18th Centuries):

  The most striking representative of this era is the Matriz Church of Santa Fe (Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe). Although its façade has been rebuilt, magnificent wooden altars in Baroque and Churrigueresque styles, covered in gold leaf, have been preserved inside. This building symbolises the religious and economic power of the city during the viceroyalty period.

• Neo-Gothic (Early 20th Century):

  A unique monument for the Peruvian hinterland is the Chapel of Christ the Poor (Capilla de Cristo Pobre). Built in 1920, it is a miniature replica of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Pointed arches, narrow towers, and vertical orientation contrast sharply with the low-rise colonial buildings, demonstrating the influence of French architecture.

• Republican Style and Traditional Architecture:

  Residential architecture in the historic centre is represented by houses with whitewashed walls, tiled roofs, and spacious internal courtyards (patios). A characteristic feature is the wide doorways and wooden balconies, adapted for the mountain climate of the Mantaro Valley.

Influence of Resort Status

In the 19th and 20th centuries, when Jauja became known as a health centre, the urban environment was enriched with sanatorium-type buildings. The Domingo Olavegoya Hospital, built in the 1920s, became an example of the functional architecture of that time, designed with hygiene and sunlight requirements in mind, which was innovative for the region.

Outstanding Personalities of Jauja

The history of Jauja is inextricably linked with the destinies of people who not only shaped the city's appearance but also left a significant mark on the history of Peru. From the era of the conquest to modern culture, these individuals personify the spirit of the first capital.

• Francisco Pizarro (1478–1541)
  Spanish Conquistador and City Founder
  Although Pizarro was born in Spain, his role in the city's history is fundamental. It was he who officially founded Jauja on April 25, 1534, proclaiming it the first capital of the Governorship of New Castile (future Peru). His decision defined the initial layout and status of the city.

• Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui (1534–1598)
  Noblewoman, "The First Mestiza of Peru"
  Daughter of Francisco Pizarro and the Inca princess Inés Huaylas. Born in Jauja shortly after the city's founding. She is considered a symbol of the fusion of two cultures — Spanish and Andean. Her life illustrates the complex processes of mixing bloodlines and traditions in the early colonial period.

• Andrés Avelino Cáceres (1836–1923)
  Marshal, President of Peru, and National Hero
  Known as the "Wizard of the Andes," Cáceres used the Mantaro Valley and Jauja as a strategic base during the Breña Campaign (War of the Pacific). The city served as an important stronghold for his resistance, and local residents actively supported his guerrilla army.

• Alipio Ponce Vásquez (1906–1941)
  Police Officer, National Hero of Peru
  A native of the San Lorenzo district (Jauja province). He became famous for his bravery during the conflict of 1941. He posthumously received the title of National Hero for his self-sacrifice in the Battle of Porotillo. Many schools and institutions in the region bear his name.

• Edgardo Rivera Martínez (1933–2018)
  Writer and Literary Scholar
  One of the most significant Peruvian writers of the 20th century, a native of Jauja. His major novel "Country of Jauja" (País de Jauja) is a literary monument to the city. In the book, he masterfully described the cultural syncretism, daily life, and unique atmosphere of a "happy Arcadia" in the Andes.

• Hugo Orellana Bonilla (1932–2007)
  Artist and Ethnographer
  Born in Ataura (Jauja). He dedicated his life to studying and preserving the folklore of the Mantaro Valley. Thanks to his efforts, many traditional dances and costumes of the region were documented and popularised. He founded a house-museum which became an important cultural centre.