Trujillo: the city of eternal spring
Located on the coast, 310 miles north of Lima, Trujillo is the biggest city in northern Peru. Its well-conserved colonial center, its sunny climate all year-round (which earned it the nickname of “city of eternal spring”) its nearby beaches and important archeological remains of the Mochica and Chimu civilizations (namely the Chan Chan city) make it an unmissable destination of the North.
What is there to do in Trujillo and its surroundings?
The city of Trujillo in itself deserves a half-day’s visit. Its central square is one of the most beautiful in Peru, with its colonial facades and its typical windows. The historical center boasts several colonial structures which are in excellent condition. You can visit some of these structures such as the Casa Bracamonte, the Casa del Mayorazgo de Facalá, the Casa del Mariscal de Orbegoso, the Casa de la Emancipación and the Casa Ganoza Chopitea, one of the most representative of the city’s architecture, with its baroque-style multicolored gate, as well as the Casa Calonge, which is home to a museum exhibiting fine golden ornaments of the Chimu era.
The city also boasts several important religious structures, such as the city’s cathedral, built in 1666, the San Francisco (18th century), Belén (1680-1708), San Agustin (17th century) and the Merced churches (rebuilt in the 17th century), as well as the Del Carmen monastery, one of the most interesting architectonic complexes in Trujillo, with its 2 cloisters and an important art gallery, which is home to 150 paintings dating back to the 17th and 18th century.
Trujillo boasts some very interesting museums, such as the José Cassinelli Museum, which is home to some magnificent chimu and mochica objects, and the museum of archeology, anthropology and history of the National University of Trujillo, which has exhibits featuring objects from different local pre-Hispanic cultures.
A few miles north of the city lies the Chan Chan archeological site. This vast city built with adobe bricks (soil bricks which have been dried in the sun) was the most important one in the Chimu civilization, which developed in that region from the 10th to the 15th century, before being annexed into the Inca empire. The chimus were excellent goldsmiths and have left in their heritage some of the most beautiful golden jewelry in Peru.
The Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna can be found a few miles South of Trujillo, and belong to the Mochica culture, from the first millennium of this era. These complexes feature some pyramid structures and are famous for their multicolored friezes.
Other archeological sites can be found in the same region, especially El Brujo, 37 miles away, which features several Huacas, the biggest one being 30 meters tall. The character of the decapitator, which is typical of that civilization, can be seen on one of the multicolored friezes.
The Huanchaco beach is 6 miles away from Trujillo. At this latitude, the pacific Coast is still bathing in the cold waters of the Humboldt Current. Swimming in it is therefore only recommended in the summer, from December to March. To enjoy a good swim outside of these months, you would need to head further North, to Mancora or Punta Sal, near the border with Ecuador.
Follow us!