Travel Tip Peru - Trujillo
Amelie
Sights in northern Peru: Trujillo, the city of eternal spring
What makes Trujillo special?
Trujillo is a coastal city in the north of Peru. With just under one million inhabitants, it is the third largest city in Peru. Trujillo can be reached from Lima either by car or bus (8 hours) or by plane (1 hour). The city’s architecture is a mixture of Andean and Colonial style with buildings in bright colors. Trujillo was named after the birthplace of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. After the colonization by the Spanish, many European aristocrats emigrated to Trujillo because of the pleasant year-round climate. It hardly ever rains and even in the coldest months from August to October the temperature is a pleasant 15 degrees Celsius. During the day, however, it is always over 20 degrees Celsius in these months. Even in the hottest months of February and March, temperatures remain pleasant and do not rise above 26 degrees. Due to the mild temperatures all year round, Trujillo is often referred to as the city of eternal spring.
Sights at the Plaza de Armas
Like almost every major city in Peru, Trujillo has its own Plaza de Armas, which serves as the city’s main square. The city was founded here by the Spanish in 1534 and its independence was declared on the same spot in 1820. In the middle of the square you can find a Statue of Liberty, a reminder of the independence battles. Flowing paths lead to the statue from all sides of the square. Narrow green spaces have been created between the paths. The Plaza de Armas is surrounded by several impressive buildings, such as the Basilica of Santa Maria. It shines in a bright ochre yellow and is the main church in this beautiful coastal town. It was built in the middle of the 17th century and is designed in a simple style. Particularly impressive is the altarpiece, which comes from the Cuzco school of painting. The church also has a small museum with other works of art and relics.
Another well-known building on the main square is Casa Urquiaga. This house was the home of the famous South American liberator Simon Bolíviar, who lived in Trujillo for some time. Today, the house is a museum where furniture and artifacts from the colonial era are on display. The other buildings around the Plaza de Armas also impress visitors with their picturesque balconies and bright colors. Inside, the buildings are mostly decorated with numerous ornaments.
Other sights in the city
A visit to the Universidad Nacional is a must when walking through Trujillo. It was founded in 1824 by Simon Bolíviar and José Faustino Sanchéz and is the most important university in northern Peru. The building is surrounded by a wall with a mosaic over 1000 meters long. Various animals, mythical creatures, symbols and people were created from small mosaic stones in every imaginable color. The so-called Smart City is also interesting to visit. This is an urban ecological and economic model settlement. It was built as part of a project.
Sights in the surrounding area
The town of Huanchaco is just 15 minutes away from the city of eternal spring. It is known for its traditional reed boats, which have been used by fishermen for thousands of years. They are designed to ride the waves and are considered the forerunners of the surfboard. Huanchaco beach is also considered one of the best surf spots in Peru.
Not far from Huanchaco is the adobe city of Chan Chan. It is estimated to have been built around 850 AD and served as the capital of the Chimú, a pre-indigenous culture who ruled most of the northern coast of Peru at the time. Chan Chan is considered the largest pre-Inca archaeological site in the Americas and the largest historic city built of adobe in the world. It covers an area of 20 square kilometers and is estimated to have been home to 30,000 people at the time. Thanks to the dry climate in this region, it has been well preserved to this day, although climate change has led to more rain, meaning that the excavation site has had to be covered over. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth a visit.
Temple of the Moche
Another culture that lived on the north coast of Peru were the Moche. They lived before the Chimú and are known for their finely crafted ceramics. The Moche were a very advanced culture with a sophisticated irrigation system and a structured social order. The most famous buildings are the Huaca del Sol and the Huaca de la Luna, two impressive temple pyramids. While the Huaca del Sol served as a political and administrative center, the Huaca de la Luna was intended for religious ceremonies. Various offerings were also found here, including the remains of more than 40 sacrificed warriors. Their sacrifices served to maintain the balance within nature. Both temples are decorated with colorful paintings of sacrifices and gods, which are still very well preserved today.
Trujillo and its surroundings thus offer a fascinating mixture of history and culture. The buildings in and around Trujillo range from impressive colonial buildings in the heart of the city to pre-Columbian sites such as Chan Chan and the Moche temples. The city of eternal spring invites travelers to immerse themselves in Peru’s past while enjoying the pleasant climate. If you are looking for authentic Peruvian culture and unforgettable experiences, Trujillo is a unique destination. If you need help planning your trip to Peru, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you!
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