he “Casa Hacienda Shismay” is a majestic sight, built on the top of a hill on a massive stone platform supported by 12 retaining walls eight metres high. At the base of this stone platform is a wonderful garden. The extensive views from the “Casa Hacienda Shismay” extend to all the valleys of Shismay, Acara and Malconga.

     The major architectural feature of the “Casa hacienda Shismay” is its arches, which form a wide corridor at the front of the house. Following this corridor on the right hand side, and after climbing a set of steps, is the chapel consecrated to “The Virgin of Mercedes” and to “San Sebastian”, patron saints of the hacienda. This chapel has a Colonial altar officially declared to be part of the “Peruvian National Heritage”.
     The floor of the house is two metres above ground level, isolating the house from any humidity and adding to its privacy. As with other Andean buildings, the tiled roof is supported by massive eucalyptus trunks in order to withstand heavy rains. The walls, columns and stairs were built using stones and mud, providing strength to the building as well as insulation. The windows are narrow due to the material utilised in the construction.
     The external walls are very wide to support the weight of the roof, giving at the same time the appearance of a fortress and visually emphasising the importance and the special status of the building. The second floor consists of store rooms where the products of the hacienda’s vast lands were kept.
      Today the hacienda has tap water, piped from the Yanapozo Lake.