Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PLAZA DE ARMAS
Trujillo's spacious and spit-shined main square, surely the cleanest in the Americas and
definitely one of the prettiest, hosts a colorful assembly of preserved colonial buildings
and an impressive statue dedicated to work, the arts and liberty. Elegant mansions abound,
including
Hotel Libertador
(Independencia 485)
.
At 9am on Sundays there is a
flag-raising ceremony
on the Plaza de Armas, complete
on special occasions with a parade,
caballos de paso
(pacing horses) and performances of
the
marinera
(a typical coastal Peruvian dance involving much romantic waving of
handkerchiefs).
Casa de Urquiaga
(Pizarro 446; 9:15am-3:15pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm Sat)
Owned and maintained by
Banco Central de la Reserva del Perú since 1972, this beautiful colonial mansion's history
dates to 1604, though the original house was completely destroyed in the earthquake of
1619. Rebuilt and dramatically preserved since, it now houses exquisite period furniture,
including a striking writer's desk once used by Simón Bolívar, who organized much of his
final campaign to liberate Peru from the Spanish empire from Trujillo in 1824. There is
also a small collection of Moche, Nazca, Chimu and Vicús pottery. It's a working bank, so
security is high for a free attraction.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Basilica Menor Catedral
( 10-11am)
Known simply as 'catedral,' this bright,
ají de gallina
-colored (yellow)
church fronting the plaza was begun in 1647, destroyed in 1759, and rebuilt soon after-
ward. The cathedral has a famous basilica (but unless you are attending mass, you have a
one-hour window each day to pop in) and a
museum
(Admission S4; 9am-1pm &
4-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat)
of religious and colonial art that is pricier than it is worth,
though there are intriguing frescos in the downstairs basement (along with a few bats).
CHURCH
EAST OF PLAZA DE ARMAS
Palacio Iturregui
(Pizarro 688; adult S5; 8-10am Mon-Sat)
This canary yellow 19th-century mansion is
unmistakable and impossible to ignore unless you're color blind. Built in neoclassical
HISTORIC BUILDING
