UJ #17 - Traditional Peru

JANUARY | ANNIVERSARY OF LIMA
Lima is the capital of Peru, and its biggest city, with
more than 9 million inhabitants. As the central hub
of the country, it contains government and business
headquarters, and emulates modernity while consciously
respecting its history.
A little over 483 years ago, on January 18th 1535, a
Spanish explorer by the name of Francisco Pizarro
founded Lima, The City of Kings. Since then, the calm city
originally established next to the Rimac River – the main
river during the Viceroyalty – has transformed into one
of the main metropolis in South America.
Lima is more than just tall buildings and transited
streets, however. Lima is the Pacific Ocean, the Historic
Centre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site -; it is good food,
bohemian culture, and so much more. Thus, each year,
on the city’s anniversary, we celebrate this unparalleled
combination of history and modernity, of ceviche and
pisco sour.
When honouring Lima, one must return to where it all
began: the Historic Centre. Before the Spanish even set
foot on our coast, Lima was part of different cultures and
empires – from the Ischma to the Inca. What is now the
main plaza, the Main Square, was originally the site of an
ancient government centre with impressive ceremonial
structures. The area also formed part of the famed Qhapaq
Ñan: a network of roads and paths over 60,000 kilometres
long that unified the entire Inca Empire.
It was upon these huacas that the Spanish conquistadors
decided to build their own constructions. The palace
of chief Taulichusco became the Government Palace
the temple of Puma-Inti became the main Cathedral,
and what was the ‘town hall’ became the Municipality.
Meanwhile, the central corrals, where animals were kept,
were replaced with a bronze fountain. The beautiful
Gothic churches, bull-fighting plazas, and numerous
other constructions became testaments to the
importance of this thriving city.
IN 1991 LIMA’S HISTORIC CENTRE WAS
DECLARED A WORLD HERITAGE SITE BY
UNESCO THANKS TO THE DEDICATION
OF THE PATRONATO DE LIMA, CREATED
BY EDUARDO R. ARRARTE, FOUNDER OF
LIMATOURS.
Following the independence, the economic crisis, and
the War of the Pacific, however, Lima was left devastated
and desolated. Soon there after, the city experienced a
renaissance; the walls that surrounded the city to protect
Rafael Cornejo / PromPerú
LimaTours
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The many churches within Lima’s Colonial
Centre showcase colonial architecture.
The parades are part of the city’s anniversary
celebrations, in which all participate – big and small.