Chiclayo
Chiclayo
was founded in the 1560īs. It is now the capital
of the Department of Lambayeque. Located in the
fertile Zaņa and Lambayeque Valleys, famous for
their rice, sugar cane and cotton plantations.
Warm and sunny year round, and a light rainy season
from November to March (may become heavier with
El Niņo) Chiclayo has an amazing archaeology,
discovered in recent years.
Important Sights
Plaza de Armas
The 19th century Neoclassical Cathedral is in
this Plaza. The Palacio Municipal, and Club
Union are on Calle Balta.
Sipan
An impressive twin pyramid complex, archaeological
site located 29 Kilometers SE of Chiclayo. In
1987, a Peruvian Archaeologist, Dr. Walter Alva
uncovered the richest Pre Columbian yet discovered
in the Americas belonging to the Moche Culture.
El Seņor de Sipan (The Lord of Sipan), a young
Mochica Priest, was found clad in gold, turquoises
and other valuables. After this discovery, two
more tombs and fine ornaments have been found.
The Lord of Sipan physical remains, treasures
and the funerary paraphernalia remain now in
the Tumbas Reales Museum, remodeled in 1994.
The Site museum opens daily from 8:00 am to
6:00 pm. For a good view, you could climb the
large pyramid, across from the Sipan excavation.
Pampa Grande
A large Moche complex, located 25 km from Sipan,
which may have accommodated approximately 10,000
people around AD 550. Some archaeologists consider
Pampa Grande the first coast city in northern
Peru.
Tucume (Valley of the Pyramids)
About 35 Km North of Chiclayo, in the Leche
River lie the ruins of this large city built
around AD1000 by the Sican Culture. Consists
of about 20 adobe pyramids, around 40m high,
around Mount La Raya. A short climb to the mirador
in La Raya, offers an impressive panoramic sight
of the Valley.
Reserva Nacional Batan Grande
50 Km North of Chiclayo, this national archaeological
reserve comprises around 50 adobe pyramids,
where beautiful Pre-Columbian gold artifacts
have been found.
Batan Grande is also an ecological reserve located
in the Pomac Forest, the largest carob tree
forest in Peru.
Museums
Bruning Museum (Lambayeque)
10 Km North of Chiclayo. Av. Huamachuco, Lambayeque.
Contains a fantastic archaeological collection,
which belonged to Mr. German Bruning and was
acquired by the Peruvian Government in the 1920īs.
Tumbas
Reales Museum
Modern museum created by Dr. Walter Alva who
discovered the famous tombs. The purpose of
this museum is to transport visitors back to
the Moche Era. For Dr. Walter Alva this cultural
monument is the museum of the XXI century.
