Nazca history

Foundation and Ancient Roots

The history of Nazca is inextricably linked to the civilisation of the same name, which flourished here long before the arrival of Europeans. Although the modern city was officially founded by Spanish colonisers in 1591 by decree of Viceroy García Hurtado de Mendoza under the name Villa de Santiago de la Nasca, this territory has been inhabited for millennia.

The area served as home to ancient cultures that left behind a rich archaeological heritage; however, it was the Spanish influence that shaped the structure of the current urban settlement.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several factors:

• Geography and Water Resources: Nazca is located in one of the most arid places on the planet. The survival and development of the city were made possible only thanks to a unique system of underground aqueducts (puquios), built by ancient inhabitants to collect water from aquifers.
• Trade Routes: The city was strategically situated at the junction of routes connecting the Pacific coast with the high-altitude regions of the Andes (specifically with the Ayacucho and Cusco regions), making it a vital hub for the exchange of goods.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During the colonial period, Nazca's economy quickly reoriented towards agriculture adapted to the local climate. The region became famous for its vineyards. It was here that the production of renowned grape beverages began, creating the drink that later became known as Pisco.

The cultural life of the city has always borne a mark of mystery due to its proximity to the giant geoglyphs in the desert. Local craft traditions, especially in the creation of ceramics, preserved features of ancient art while blending with European technologies.

Major Milestones in the History of Nazca

• 100 BC — 800 AD — The flourishing of the Nazca culture, representatives of which created the famous geoglyphs and a unique system of underground aqueducts.
• Late 15th Century — The Nazca Valley is annexed to the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu) during the conquests of Pachacuti.
• 1547 — The Spanish chronicler Pedro Cieza de León makes the first written mention of mysterious "signs" in the desert.
• 1591 — The colonial settlement of Villa de Santiago de la Nasca is officially founded by decree of the Viceroy of Peru.
• 1821 — Following the proclamation of Peru's independence, the city leaves Spanish administration and becomes part of the new republic.
• 1927 — Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejía Xesspe rediscovers the Nazca Lines for the scientific world, proposing a hypothesis about their ceremonial significance.
• 1939 — American historian Paul Kosok discovers that the lines form figures of animals and suggests their astronomical purpose.
• 23 January 1941 — Nazca receives the status of administrative centre of the newly formed province of the same name.
• 1946 — German researcher Maria Reiche moves to Nazca and dedicates the rest of her life to the study and protection of the desert drawings.
• 17 December 1994 — The Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• 12 November 1996 — A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 destroys a significant part of the city's historical adobe buildings.
• 2018 — Using drones and satellite imagery, archaeologists discover dozens of new, previously unknown geoglyphs in the region.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The modern appearance of Nazca was formed under the influence of global infrastructure projects and natural challenges. While the early history of the city was inextricably linked with agriculture, in recent times, development vectors have shifted towards logistics and international tourism. Below are the events that determined the current economy and architecture of the city:

• Construction of the Pan-American Highway:

  The laying of the continent's main transport artery (Panamericana Sur) through Nazca was a turning point, bringing the city out of geographical isolation. This turned it into a strategically important transit point between Lima and the southern regions of Peru (Arequipa, Tacna), giving a powerful impulse to the development of trade and roadside services.

• Administrative Elevation (1941):

  Granting the status of provincial capital stimulated the growth of urban infrastructure. The appearance of administrative institutions, educational establishments, and hospitals contributed to an influx of population from surrounding rural areas, leading to denser development and the formation of a proper urban environment.

• Opening of the Airport and Tourism Boom:

  The popularisation of the geoglyphs thanks to the works of Maria Reiche required the creation of special infrastructure, as the scale of the drawings can only be appreciated from the air. The construction of the local Maria Reiche Airport made the city a hub for small aviation in Peru. This event definitively reoriented Nazca's economy towards serving travellers, causing growth in the network of hotels and restaurants.

• Urban Reconstruction after 1996:

  The destructive earthquake radically changed the architectural look of the city. During massive restoration, traditional coastal adobe structures were widely replaced with seismic-resistant buildings made of reinforced concrete and brick. This made the city safer and more modern, although it deprived it of some of its old colonial colour.

Architectural Appearance and Building Features

The architecture of modern Nazca is an example of forced eclecticism, dictated by the harsh conditions of the desert and the high seismic activity of the region. The city cannot boast monumental colonial palaces characteristic of Lima or Cusco; its appearance is rather utilitarian, restrained, and functional.

The urban structure has preserved the classic Spanish "chessboard" layout (cuadrícula), where streets intersect at right angles, forming blocks around the main square. However, the visual style of the city changed radically at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Eras and Architectural Styles

In the appearance of the city and its surroundings, one can trace the layering of three key historical strata:

• Ancient Engineering and Adobe Architecture (Pre-Hispanic Period):

  Although the city itself is younger, its architectural code is rooted in the era of the Nazca civilisation. A striking example is the ceremonial centre Cahuachi (located near the city), built from conical adobe (unfired brick). Within the city limits and suburbs, elements of unique landscape architecture have been preserved — the Puquios aqueducts, lined with river stone and still functioning today.

• Colonial Style and Republican Traditionalism (17th–20th Centuries):

  Until 1996, traditional coastal construction of adobe and quincha (a frame of cane coated with mud) prevailed in Nazca. These were single-storey houses with internal courtyards designed to keep the interior cool. Unfortunately, most of these buildings were lost due to natural disasters, and today they can only be met in fragments.

• Seismic-Resistant Functionalism (From 1997 to Present):

  Modern Nazca is a city of reinforced concrete and fired brick. After the destructive earthquake, new construction standards displaced aesthetics in favour of safety. Buildings generally do not exceed 2–3 storeys, have flat roofs (due to the lack of rain), and simple geometric forms. Facades are often painted in bright colours, characteristic of southern Peru.

Iconic Buildings and Public Spaces

Despite its modest size, the city has several objects that form its visual centre:

• Plaza de Armas (Main Square): The heart of the city, around which life is concentrated. The square is designed in a modern style with elements of landscape design, fountains, and decorative lighting. This is the main place for walking and relaxation for local residents.
• Church of Santiago Apóstol (Iglesia Matriz): The main Catholic temple of the city, located on the central square. The building we see today is the result of reconstruction after the earthquake. It combines modern construction technologies with elements of Neoclassicism characteristic of Spanish religious architecture (arched openings, a dome, two bell towers).
• Nazca Municipality: An administrative building on the Plaza de Armas, executed in a strict style with an arched gallery on the ground floor, which refers to colonial traditions of designing public buildings (cabildo).

Distinguished Figures of Nazca

The history of Nazca is inextricably linked with the names of researchers who dedicated their lives to unravelling the mysteries of the desert, as well as scientists who revealed the unique culture of this region to the world.

• Maria Reiche — Mathematician, archaeologist, and chief guardian of the Nazca Lines
  The most famous figure in the city's history, whom locals call the "Lady of the Desert". The German researcher dedicated more than 50 years to studying, mapping, and protecting the geoglyphs. Thanks to her efforts, the Nazca Lines were preserved and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Her house-museum is located near the city.
• Paul Kosok — Historian and anthropologist
  An American scientist who, in 1939, was the first to discover that the lines in the desert form giant figures (the first found was a bird). It was he who put forward the hypothesis that the geoglyphs represent the "largest astronomical calendar in the world" and involved Maria Reiche in the research.
• Toribio Mejía Xesspe — Peruvian archaeologist
  The discoverer of the Nazca Lines for the scientific community. In 1927, while investigating ancient irrigation systems, he noticed strange lines on the ground and was the first to suggest that they were of artificial origin and linked to ancient ritual roads (ceques).
• Giuseppe Orefici — Italian archaeologist
  Director of "Project Nasca" (Proyecto Nasca). For over 30 years, he led excavations at Cahuachi — the main ceremonial centre of the ancient Nazca civilisation. His work allowed for an understanding of the daily life, religion, and architecture of the people who created the famous drawings.
• Max Uhle — Archaeologist, "Father of Peruvian Archaeology"
  In the early 20th century, he was the first to scientifically identify and describe the Nazca culture (which he initially called "Proto-Nazca"), separating it from other pre-Hispanic civilisations. His research on local ceramics and burials became the foundation for all subsequent historical discoveries in the region.
• Fermín del Castillo Arias — Military figure, hero of the War of Independence
  A native of the region who played an important role in Peru's struggle for independence from Spain. He was one of the first patriots to join General San Martín's expedition and organised a local militia in Nazca to support the liberating army.