Urban Culture
A fusion of cosmopolitan style and ancient traditions
Peruvian culture is a marvelous blend of modernity and ancient heritage. Our cities proudly maintain this balance between the old and the new, as places that are continuously transformed by the changing times and the mixture of cultures. A cosmopolitan fusion combined with olden time traditions.
The cities of Peru are currently undergoing a process of change and renovation. Many historic centers are being restored and new infrastructure incorporated.
The regional and departmental capitals offer all of the main health, access and financial services. They also have shopping malls and handicraft centers as well as a range of accommodation options, restaurants, local tourist operators and museums.
Plazas and Historic Monuments
The wide range of native cultures, the mixing with the Hispanic world, as well as the development of the Peruvian culture, have been recorded in beautiful plazas and historic monuments spread around the country’s different cities.
Convents and Cathedrals
The main heritage left by the Colonial Era came from the Catholic faith. Churches were built throughout the country and often on places regarded as sacred by the Andean cultures, with the aim of converting the indigenous people to the Christian faith. In several Peruvian cities these churches and/or convents can still be seen. They are Colonial architectural jewels, built in European styles and with elements that bear witness to the mixture of both cultures.
The convents and churches both offer visitors the chance to see various works of art from different periods and styles. Some also have small religious museums and impressive libraries.
Mansions and Estates
During the Viceroyalty of Peru, the Spaniards introduced the European urbanism model to the new continent. The new cities were laid out in grids, with the most important areas given to the highest authorities. From top down and in hierarchical order, the residences were allocated to the conquerors.
In this way colonial style mansions were commissioned with central patios, spacious halls, luminous windows and beautiful balconies and were named after their owners to differentiate them: Palacio de Torre Tagle, Casa Osambela, Casa Aliaga, among others.
During Colonial times, the first methods of working the land and rearing animals were organized into small scale acreages and farms. Afterwards, around the middle of the 16th century, the first estates, near the coast and in the Andean areas were established. They grew crops they had brought from Spain such as sugar cane, grapes and olives, among others. These estates were remarkable for their colonial mansions.
Museums
The museums, witnesses to the passage of time and guardian of the cultural treasures of Peru, are perfect places to get to know the country’s history all the way from its ancient origins.
Main destinations and tourist attractions hold different types of museums, including site, history, archaeological and ethnographic museums.
