Fodor's Expert Review Santa Ana

The Santa Ana neighborhood is dotted with some of Peru's finest workshops. These local artists and their galleries are clustered around the Plazoleta Santa Ana, and most are happy to share their knowledge and even their life stories with visitors. In particular, look for complex tejidos (textiles), which have elaborate, and often pre-Hispanic, motifs that can take more than half a year to design and weave. Many artists painstakingly research their designs, pulling abstract elements from Huari ceremonial ponchos. These creations, made of natural fibers and dyes, can cost US$400 or more for high-quality work. Standouts include the textile workshops of Alejandro Gallardo (Plaza Santa Ana 105) and Edwin Sulca Lagos (Plaza Santa Ana 82), who also makes carpets. And don't miss the beautiful alabaster (huamanga) carvings of José Gálvez.