Trujillo
Capital of the Department of La Libertad, was
founded by Diego de Almagro in 1534, following
instructions of Francisco Pizarro. The city was
named after Pizarro´s native town in Spain. Located
in the fertile Moche River valley, constitutes
one of the main archaeological areas in Peru.
Trujillo is known as the city of permanent spring
due to the mild and sunny climate year round.
Between the first and seventh centuries AD, these
lands were inhabited by the Moche Culture, whose
impressive remains may still be admired around
Trujillo. Later during the ninth to fifteenth
centuries, the Chimu Culture ruled the area, including
their capital the famous Citadel of Chan Chan,
about 2.5 miles from the city of Trujillo. In
the fifteenth century, the Moche River valley
was incorporated into the Inca Empire.
Important Sights
Plaza de Armas
With an impressive sculpture representing agriculture,
commerce, education and art and crowned by a
young man holding the torch of Liberty. The
plaza is framed by the Cathedral, the archbishop's
Palace, the Church of La Compañia and Municipal
Palace.
Chan Chan
Located about 2.5 miles from Trujillo, it was
the Capital of the Chimu Culture. Chan Chan
was built between the 12th and 14th century
AD and it is considered to be the largest adobe
city in the world. It covers around 25Km2 and
about 100,000 people inhabited it. The city
had many streets, water reservoirs, canals,
plazas, terraces, temples, workshops, pyramids
etc. It also contained nine palaces. The one
in the best state of conservation today is the
Tschudi citadel (after Swiss Scholar Juan Diego
Tschudi). Tschudi has been reconstructed and
it is only a 15 min walk from the main road.,
open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
The Kingdom stretched 1000 kilometers along
the coast, all the way to Guayaquil ( today's
Ecuador) and finally surrendered to the Inca
Empire around 1570, after 10 years of siege.
Huaca del Sol & de la Luna
Only a few kilometers South of Trujillo, Huaca
del Sol is the largest adobe pyramid in Peru
and it was once the largest man made structure
in the Western Hemisphere, with a height of
45 meters. Huaca de la Luna, 500 meters away
has a large burial ground and fascinating brightly
colored decorations and murals. Open daily 9.00
am to 2.00 pm.
El Brujo
One of the most important archaeological sites
in North Peru, about 50 km North of Trujillo.
This was a Moche ceremonial Centre with three
large constructions of different eras: Huaca
Prieta, considered to be one of the oldest constructions
in Northern Peru, dating back 5,000 years; Huaca
El Brujo ( a Moche Pyramid) and Huaca Cao Viejo
where you see the remains of an old Catholic
Church.
Huaca del Dragon
It is a restored temple, 4 Km NW of Trujillo
one of the best conserved Chimu Ceremonial Centers
dating from 100 to 1470 AD. Also called Huaca
Arco Iris ( Rainbow) after the shape of the
friezes that decorate it.
Colonial Mansions
Casa Bracamonte
Jr. Independencia, Plaza de Armas. Built in
the eighteen century with beautiful patios,
salons and a Neoclassic portico on its façade.
Casa Urquiaga
Jr. Pizarrpo 446, Plaza de Armas. Built in the
eighteen century. This house received General
Simon Bolivar during the war of independence.
Casa del Mayorazgo de Facala
Pizarro 314. Built in the eighteen century.
Its large patio is framed by wooden columns.
It has an old well. It houses the Banco Wiese
Sudameris.
Casa Ganoza Chopitea
Independencia 630 . Arquitecturally the most
representative of Trujillo and the Viceroyalty.
With a beautiful baroque façade, barred windows
and murals.
Palacio Iturregui
Jr. Pizarro 688. Was built in the nineteen century.
An Italian Renaissance style. It has three large
patios. It houses the Club Central of Trujillo.
Casa del Mariscal Orbegoso
Orbegoso 553. Built during the eighteen century.
It holds furniture and belongings from Mariscal
Luis Jose de Orbegoso, one of the fathers of
independence and President of Peru. It is now
a museum owned by a bank.
Casa de Madalengoitia
Jr. Pizarro 610. Built in the eighteen century.
In this house was signed Trujillo´s commitment
to the Independence. It has a beautiful collection
of watercolors painted by Trujillo's Bishop
Martinez Companion in the eighteen century.
Churches
La Merced
located at Pizarro 550. It has been restored
after the earthquake of 1970. The Sculpture
of La Virgen de la Merced dates from 1603.
Santo Domingo
Corner of Pizarro and Bolognesi, the only church
in the area with twin towers. A good example
of baroque style is the Virgen del Rosario,
inside this church.
Santa Clara
Corner of Junin and Independencia with a beautiful
golden altar.
San Francisco
Corner of Independencia and Gamarra. Dating
from the 17th century. The pulpit is one of
the oldest in Latin America.
La Compañia de Jesus
Corner of Independencia and Almagro. Built in
1640 in the form of a basilica with two side
chapels.
Museums
Museo de Arqueología
Casa Risco Junin 662, with a large collection
of thematic exhibits.
Museo José Cassinelli
Corner of Av Mansiche and Av. Victor Raul Haya
de la Torre. Contains a great private collection
of Mochica and Chimu pottery.
Festivals
The National Marinera Competition takes place
in Trujillo during the first two weeks in January,
one of the best occasions to enjoy the traditional
dance of La Marinera.
The Festival de la Primavera is held during
the last week in September. This celebration
of the arrival of the Spring has become an important
tourist event.
