Trujillo is one of Peru's largest cities, with a population of close to a million inhabitants. It was officially founded in 1534 by Diego de Almagro, and named after the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro, in Extremadura in Spain. Of course, the area was inhabited long before the Spaniards arrive.
Its coat of arms claims Trujillo as "Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera" (City of Eternal Spring), and from there Trujillo became a major trading and commerce port.
In 1685, a wall was constructed along the city perimeter to protect Trujillo from the pirate raids. The enclosed sections of Trujillo are now the historic colonial center, featuring elegant classic houses, churches and public squares. In 1820, Trujillo was the first Peruvian city to declare independence from Spain.
The city is best explored on foot, and most of the popular plazas, hotels, restaurants and colonial houses are located in Old Town. Allow at least half a day on foot to check out Trujillo’s colonial core, where you’ll find an abundance of well-preserved homes and churches located to the north of Plaza de Arma.
Art enthusiasts and history buffs should definitely plan a visit to Iglesia y Monasterio El Carmen, which offer Trujillo's best collection of colonial art. Located nearby is the Archeological Museum, which specializes in pre-Hispanic Peruvian history. Be aware that most sites and many shops are closed from 1 to 4 p.m. The hours indicated for the visit are an indication only, as they change regularly.
What to do in Trujillo
Jr. Independencia Nº 705. Visits: Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:00
A modest but interesting display of all kind of toys like rattlers, whistles, figurines, and other Chancay, Moche and Chimú toys dating as far back as 1000 BC and up to the 1950s.
Jr. San Martín Nº 368. Visits: Monday to Friday 8:00 – 19:00; Saturday 8:00 – 13:00.
Diverse species from the area and from Peru: birds, fishes, reptiles, insects and animals in the lama family (camelidae).
Museo Catedralicio
Inside Trujillo's
Cathedral.
Conserves objects related to the liturgy, tallas y paintings
of the colonial period, among which 2 paintings:”The
denial of Saint Peter
(La negación de San
Pedro)” and Saint John the Baptist's
portrait. Characterizing this edifice, the roof decorated with polychrome vigas and the crypt adorned with murals of the 2
apostles.
Archeological Museum José Cassinelli
Av. Nicolás de
Piérola Nº 607. Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:30- 13:00 and
15:00- 19:00
Nice private collection of archeological artifacts of the
Mochicá, Chimú and
Recuay cultures. It is located in the basement
of a Mobil gas station.
Archeological and Historical Museum of the Universidad National de
Trujillo
Jr. Junín 682. Visits: Monday 9:00-
14:45. Tuesday to Friday 9:00-13:00 and
15:00-19:00, Saturdays and Sunday 9:00-16:00.
The museum is located in the historical Risco Mansion, famous for its decorated patios. It traces Peruvian pre-Hispanic cultures. It contains ceramics, jewelry, and fabrics. It contains also excellent artifacts from the Huaca de la Luna, since the University controls the search there.
This place was designed by Martin de Astete as the center of the historical Trujillo. In the middle of the Plaza is the Freedom Monument (Monumento de la Libertad), a baroque style sculpture, from the German sculptor Edmund Muller.
Plaza mayor (Plaza de Armas). (Museo Catedralicio). Visits:
Monday to Sunday
7:00-12:00 and 16:00- 21:00.
Built in 1666, it conserves valuable art pieces.
Especially paintings and sculptures of the cuzqueña school.
Intersection of Jr. Independencia and Jr. Almagro.Built in 1640, hosts paintings of the Jesuit father Diego de la Puente
Intersection of Jr. Pizarro with Jr. Bolognesi;
only temple with twin towers that conserves the portrait of the Virgin of the Rosary.
Intersection of Jr. Almagro street and Jr. Ayacucho.
Its construction started in 1680 and it was finished in 1708. It was built of adobe, bricks and quincha. The facade is marked by 2 towers with pilasters with three angles. Inside, the arches, the pilasters and the pillars correspond to Trujillo's tradition of the seventeenth century.
Jr: Pizarro, cuadra 9.
This antique plazuela signals with its imposing portada the road to the sierra. It was restored in 1986 and there can be found la antique pileta that was originally located in the Plaza de Armas. there can be appreciated the water distribution system that alimented the different areas of the city in colonial times.
Intersection of Jr. Colón and Jr. Bolívar. Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-13:00.
Built in 1759, it is one of the best architectural combination in the city. it is composed of a temple and a convent with 2 cloisters.
The pinacotheque hosts an important collection of approximately 150 paintings, in majority of the seventeenth and eighteenth century; especially paintings of the quiteña and flamenca schools.
Jr. Bolívar 508. Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-12:00 and 16.00-20:00
Built in the eighteenth century. El altar mayor is "pan de oro" and the pulpit is of baroque style.
Intersection of the Jr. Independencia and of Jr. Gamarra. Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-12:00 and 16:00-20:00.
This church was built in the eighteenth century. To
be seen, are the main altar , the polychrome retables and the pulpit, all
of baroque style. They are decorated with personages of
the Holy Scripture and episodes of several saints' lives. Currently, the Colñon Theater
is located in what was the convent.
Jr. Francisco 550. Visitas: L-D 8:00-12:00 y 16:00-20:00.
This
church was built initially in 1536, and was destroyed in the 1619
earthquake. It was then rebuilt in 1634. At a difference
with other monuments of this type in the city
of Trujillo, was built in the central part of a block and not at a street
corner.
This 17th-century church was built by Portuguese artist Alonso de las Nieves and has an impressive rococo organ and cupola. When the order lacked the money for a traditional wood and gold-plated altar, they instead opted to paint one onto the wall in 1755—the only painted altar in the city. Near the altar is an interesting juxtaposition of the virgins that most embody the old and new worlds: Mexico’s brown-skinned and dark-haired Virgin de Guadalupe and Spain’s blue-eyed and blond Virgin Fátima.
Its main facade is baroque and instead of towers for
the bells, features a couple of espadañas. It contains con obras of great
value as the main retable (that originally belonged to the Iglesia de la Compañía),
and the laterals retables with
paintings of the seventeenth century.
Jr. Pizarro 668. Visits: Monday to Saturday 11:00-18:00
Built in the nineteenth century, it constitutes an example of the Republican neoclassical architecture with columns, windows with iron bars and the statues of Italian marble. Currently, it is the seat of the Club Central.
Jr. Pizarro 314. Visitas: L-V 9:15-12:30
Features a large patio principal and a very antique water well. From the exterior can be appreciated its corner balcony in the mudéjar style. This house contains a valuable numismatic collection.
Jr. Independencia 441, Plaza Mayor. Used by the Health Department and not open for tours..
This mansion represents dos époques, ir combines colonial elements of the eighteenth century and republican of the nineteenth century. The facade is characterized by a large wooden portada and the traditional windows with carefully worked iron bars. Inside ir contains attractive patios.
Jr. Independencia 630. Visits: Currently closed for renovations (June 2008).
This
mansion is one of the most representative of the architectural style of
the city of Trujillo. La main gate, of baroque style, is characterized by
the use of several color tones , in its frontispiece there are 2 lions
(where it takes its name of “Casa de la Portada de los Leones”). The
entrance is adorned with baroque and rococo features. The interior has
high wooden ceilings. It contains two main galleries, the Salón de Varones
(Guys' Hall), and the Salón de Damas (Ladies' Hall).
Jr. Orbegoso 553. Visits: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat.
The 17th-century Casa del Mariscal de Orbegoso is a good example of the traditional colonial home: a plaza of river stones (canto rodado), brick and lime floors, simple ceilings, sculpted doors, and very large rooms. This was the home of the president José Luis Orbegoso. After leading troops during the War of Independence he was a very unsuccessful president of Peru from 1833 to 1838.
It contains important collections of furniture, silver, paintings and mirrors. Occasionally there are also temporary exhibits.
Jr. Pizarro 610. Visits: L-S 9:15-12:30 y 16:00-18:30.
- Night life
- Canana:
Criollo dishes with a side of traditional Peruvian dance. A good place to have fun and dance Peruvian dance music in the large dance area. A good formula is to order "una jarra de cerveza" (a pitcher of beer) or try one of the enticing mixed drinks. After 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, you can also enjoy more traditional Peruvian music.
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