Juliaca brings together cultural attractions with different focuses: historic buildings, a city museum, handicrafts on display and an annual religious celebration. The options are especially easy to distinguish by their dates: the Templo Matriz is known for its 125-year construction period, while the Templo de la Merced has several inauguration and renovation dates; the Virgen-de-las-Mercedes celebration takes place every year on September 24. The museum and Galería Artesanal las Calceteras complement these church and festival attractions.

Churches with Different Timelines

Construction of the Templo Matriz de Santa Catalina began in 1649 at the Jesuits’ request and was completed in 1774, after 125 years. The long span between the start and completion is a distinctive point of reference when exploring the building’s history. The Templo was declared a Historic Monument by Law No. 10028 of November 24, 1944, and Supreme Resolution No. 2900-72-ED of December 28, 1972. From Juliaca’s Plaza de Armas, an asphalt-paved walking route of 50 meters leads to the Templo; the walk takes approximately five minutes.

The Templo de la Merced, also called the Templo de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, was built at the end of the 19th century and inaugurated in 1889. It was inaugurated again in 1959, and its interior underwent extensive renovation in 1995. This sequence offers a different historical perspective from Santa Catalina: here, several inauguration and renovation dates are the focus, while the Templo Matriz stands out for the duration of its construction. If you would like to distinguish the two churches by their histories, you can compare the long construction period of the Templo Matriz with the later milestones of the Templo de la Merced.

City Museum and Handicrafts

Since 2001, the Museo Municipal de la Ciudad de Juliaca has been housed in the Casa de la Cultura and has a permanent exhibition space. If you would like to include the museum in your visit, please check its current operating status in advance.

The first floor of the Galería Artesanal las Calceteras displays textiles made from sheep’s wool and alpaca fiber, pottery, hats and flat-woven textiles. This mix draws attention to different materials and forms of craftsmanship rather than architectural history. If you would like to include textiles and other handicrafts in your itinerary alongside the churches, the gallery offers a distinct cultural focus.

The Virgen-de-las-Mercedes Celebration

The Virgen-de-las-Mercedes celebration at the Templo de la Merced in Juliaca takes place every year on September 24. As part of the Mass, procession and veneration in front of the church portal, up to 40 folk dance groups perform Morenada, Tinkus, Caporales, Tobas and Oros. The occasion combines a fixed calendar date with a religious setting and several forms of folk dance. If you are planning your trip specifically around the celebration, check the dates before you travel. This makes planning different from a visit focused on the historic churches or the handicrafts on display.

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