Of the founding of the city of Guamanga, and who was its founder.
When the marquis Don Francisco Pizarro determined to found a city in
this province, he did not select the site where it now stands, but chose
an Indian village called Guamanga, which is the reason why the city
received the same name.[427] The village was near the great Cordillera
of the Andes. The marquis left the captain Francisco de Cardenas as his
lieutenant here. After some time, and from various causes, the city was
removed to the place where it now stands, which is on a plain, near a
chain of hills on its south side. Although a small plain half a league
from the present city, would have been a site more pleasant to the
inhabitants, yet they were obliged to give it up owing to the want of
water. Near the city a small stream of very good water flows, at which
the citizens drink. In this city the best and largest houses in all Peru
have been built, all of stone, bricks, and tiles, with tall towers, so
that there is no want of buildings. The _plaza_ is level and very
large.[428] The climate is very healthy, for neither the sun nor the
air do harm, nor is it damp nor hot, but it possesses an excellent and
most salubrious temperature. The citizens have also built houses where
they keep their flocks, in the valleys adjoining the city. The largest
river near the city is called Viñaque, near which there are some great
and very ancient edifices, which are now in ruins, but appear to have
stood for many ages.[429] When the Indians are asked who built these
ancient monuments, they reply that a bearded and white people like
ourselves were the builders, who came to these parts many ages before
the Yncas began to reign, and formed a settlement here. These, and some
other ancient edifices in this kingdom do not appear to me to be like
those which were erected by order of the Yncas; for their buildings were
square, and those of the Yncas are long and narrow. It is also reported
that certain letters were found on a tile in these buildings. I neither
deny nor affirm that, in times past, some other race, possessed of
judgment and intelligence, made these things, and others which we have
not seen.
On the banks of this river of Viñaque, and in other adjacent parts,
they reap a great quantity of wheat, of which they make bread as
excellent as the best that is made in Andalusia.[430] They have planted
some vines, and it is believed that in time there will be many extensive
vineyards, and most other things that grow in Spain. There is abundance
of all the fruits of the country, and so many doves that there is no
other part of the Indies where they are so numerous. In the spring there
is some difficulty in getting enough fodder for the horses, but, owing
to attendance from the Indians, this want is not felt. It must be
understood that at no time do the horses and other beasts feed on straw,
nor is any use made of what is cut, for neither do the sheep eat it, but
all are maintained by the grass of the field.
The outlets to this city are good, but in many parts there are so many
thorns and briars that it is necessary for travellers to be careful,
whether they go on foot or on horseback. This city of San Juan de la
Victoria de Guamanga was founded and settled by the marquis Don
Francisco Pizarro, governor of Peru, in the name of his Majesty, on the
9th day of the month of January, 1539.