Peru

Places in this region

Brain Museum

Tucked behind the Institute of Neurological Science down a decrepit street resides the largest display of human brains in Latin America.

The Brain Museum in Lima is not for those with a weak stomach. Run by Neuropathologist Diana Rivas, this one-of-a-kind collection contains over 3,000 examples of damaged brains and fetuses,... »

Medical Museums, Unique Collections | Edited by Rachel

Chucuito Temple of Fertility

Ancient Peruvian fertility temple or modern money-making hoax? Either way these monoliths still look like penises

Chucuito is one of the few ancient sites in the world that is likely to elicit a few giggles. In many ways, you're supposed to giggle when you walk through the walled-off complex covered in row... »

Hoaxes and Pseudoscience, Rites and Rituals | Edited by serflac and atimian

Cahuachi

Nazca pilgrimage site covering 384 acres

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Lost Tribes, Curious Places of Worship | Edited by serflac and atimian

Usko Ayar

Art school in the Amazon: Drugs, nature and sustainable agriculture

In 1988, shaman and painter Pablo Amaringo opened the Usko Ayar art school. Translated in Quechua as Spiritual Prince, the roots of his work were in his religious experiences with ayahuasca, a... »

Outsider Art | Edited by serflac and atimian

La Rinconada

The highest and saddest town in the world

It's hard to imagine living three miles above the sea. High in the Andes, the people of La Rinconada have been fighting for years to survive in a climate where most people on this world would be... »

Odd Accommodations, Outsider Architecture | Edited by atimian

Qenqo Temple

Death rituals and sacrifice inside a Peruvian megalith

The Incan Empire was completely destroyed by European forces in the 16th century. Many of their massive temples, fortresses and cities were left standing, but without any clues as to their... »

Cultures and Civilizations , Rites and Rituals, Lost Tribes, Incredible Ruins | Edited by serflac and atimian

Apachetas of Chivay

Mystic Incan rock piles three miles above sea level

The path between Chivay and Arequipa is one of the highest elevated passes in the world. Standing at three miles above sea level, the rocky path has been used as a highway for the ancient... »

Strange Statues, Marvelous Maps and Measures, Lost Tribes, Curious Places of Worship, Incredible Ruins | Edited by serflac and atimian

Cumbe Mayo and Los Frailones

Pre-Incan aqueduct amidst a stone forest in Peru

11,000 feet above the sea in the Peruvian Highlands, a 3,500-year-old aqueduct cut out of volcanic rock snakes down hills and valleys toward the city of Cajamarca. Built by an advanced... »

Natural Wonders, Geological Oddities, Retro-Tech, Lost Tribes, Incredible Ruins | Edited by serflac and atimian

San Pedro Cemetery of Ninacaca

A colorful Peruvian city of the dead

San Pedro Cemetery is neither distinctly religious nor distinctly Peruvian. Breaking out of both molds, the cemetery in Ninacaca is bringing some new color and form to the deceased. Instead of... »

Miniatures, Small Worlds and Model Towns, Memento Mori, Catacombs, Crypts, & Cemeteries | Edited by serflac, atimian and others

salar of maras

Salt Mines

While the salt mines are set up for tourism, complete with little shops selling bottled water, felt alligator slippers, and packaged spa sea salt, you may find that you are the only tourist there.... »

| Edited by serflac and arnd_the_world