The city of Trujillo is in north Peru. It is known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its mild, pleasant yearly weather. Undoubtedly, this city has several attractions waiting to be discovered.
They are distributed throughout its boundaries. They have beautiful beaches, archaeological sites, great museums, colonial architecture, and more. Trujillo is not your best bet when visiting Peru, as is not as popular as other destinations such as Cusco, Arequipa, or Lake Titicaca. However, we’ll give you more than one reason why you should come to this stunning place filled with tourist attractions you should see and visit.
The Plaza de Armas is Trujillo's major square. The whole city was founded in 1534, the Spaniards took it by reference to build all the city around it. The freedom monument (Monumento a La Libertad) was built after Peru gained independence from the Spaniards. It stands in the heart of the main square.
The statue has three sculptures. The first is a man symbolizing oppression and slavery. The second is the arms of another figure representing the fight for freedom. The third is a man with elevated arms symbolizing freedom. This enigmatic statue was built and designed by a German sculptor in Germany, it was placed on May 10, 1925.
This is one of the most representative areas in the city, because of its place in history, Trujillo's Main Square is a popular setting for cultural events. The cathedral, magnificent republican residences, and palaces surround this plaza.
From the Plaza de Armas, you can keep walking through the historic center. There, you’ll find various churches that surround the area. Or, you can stroll around the city center via a pedestrian promenade to the church's right side.
Paseo Peatonal Pizarro is a boulevard dotted with cafes, stores, restaurants, and banks that serve as the genuine center of the city. The many colorful buildings mix colonial style. They are eye-catching, especially when the sun lights them up.
The city holds the Trujillo Marinera Festival in January. It attracts hundreds of dancers and thousands of spectators from all over Peru. The celebration lasts ten days. It includes parades and demonstrations. It also has national competitions for marinera dancers and Peruvian Paso horses.
The Marinera is an elegant and passionate dance about a young couple's courtship. Is one of Peru's most popular dances, and the Peruvian government has designated it as part of the nation's cultural heritage.
The Peruvian Paso horse is a big part of Trujillo festivities. It is now seen as part of the country's heritage. At the Trujillo Marinera Festival, Peruvian Paso horses and marinera dancers compete for first place.
These horses are famous for their smooth ride. They have a unique four-beat, lateral gait, known as the Paso llano. The breed is indigenous to northern Peru, and Trujillo is recognized as "The Cradle of the Peruvian Paso Horse."
Chan Chan is the largest adobe city in the world, is an archeological site in Trujillo, and is about a 15-minute cab trip from the city center. This pre-Columbian city was well-located 5 kilometers from the city of Trujillo.
It was linked by routes that gave access to the administrative centers of nearby valleys. This huge citadel was built by the Chimu Culture, one of the pre-inca cultures that used to rule Peru hundreds of years ago.
Between 600 and 700 A.D., the layout and location of citadels changed a lot. This happened as ancient cultures learned new skills and grew their knowledge. Similarly, new fortress molds emerged, paving the path for enclosed cities.
The Chan Chan fortress is very big and is notable for its layout. This fortress built by the Moche Culture has clear areas for government, ceremonies, homes, and work. The architectural style differs by zone, allowing the Chimu to distinguish their social and economic strata.
Outside the city, you can find the Huaca del Sol y la Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Sun and the Moon), the largest temple in the archeological complex. It has five terraces and is 45 meters tall. This makes it the tallest pre-Columbian structure in Peru and maybe South America.
Unfortunately, there is little info about the temple of the moon and sun as the Spaniards heavily damaged it during the colonial phase. The invaders were able to shift the river course to split the site in half, but they only took a third of the Huaca.
They used about 130 million adobe bricks to build this administrative complex. However, no treasures were discovered on the site, and little archeological investigation was done due to a lack of funds.
The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum aims to provide an insight into what life and culture would have been like during Moche times since numerous fascinating findings have been unearthed in the neighboring archeological remains.
The site museum provides a complete immersion in the vision and artwork of this renowned culture, making it a must-see for everyone visiting northern Peru. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about this unusual travel location.
The museum was founded as an endeavor to educate, study, and raise awareness about the preservation of Moche cultural heritage. It opened in 2002 and is widely regarded as one of the continent's most premium museums.
This heritage site was designed to imitate the architectural style of the Moche civilization, with a truncated pyramid and ramp access that leads you to the top of the building for a tour of its depths.
In case you want to soak in the waters that surround Trujillo or you’re in the mood for surfing Huanchaco Beach is your place. Surrounding the Huanchaco beach, you’ll see various restaurants offering delicious dishes.
This place located north of Trujillo is great for enjoying a relaxed day on the beach with family and friends. Drinking and eating traditional meals, as well as participating in various outdoor activities.
An interesting fact about Huanchaco is that this city was probably the “Birthplace of surfing” as the “Caballito the totora” (Red little horses) have been utilized by Peruvian fishermen for the past 3,000 years, and this tradition continues in Huanchaco. This vessel was created by the Moche and Chimu Cultures around three thousand years ago, the Moche and Chimu fishermen used caballito de totora for fishing and surfing
El Brujo is a significant archeological site along Peru's northern coast. The largest discovery is La Señora de Cao, believed to be a high-ranking priestess or Moche queen. Her remains are today housed at the site's museum, with textiles and other Mochica culture relics.
Throughout its 5,000-year history, the complex has been home to several communities, including nomadic hunter-gatherers, Cupisnique, Moche, Lambayeque, Chimú, Inca, colonial, and modern cultures.
Trujillo has magnificent churches, such as the Catedral, that contain are from the Cuzco and Quito schools of painting, El Carmen Church, constructed in the 18th century stands for its altars and a wooden pulpit, La Merced church has a mixture of architectural styles.
The ancient Tsuchidi temple is found in the Chan Chan archeological site. It is said to be a sea-cult center for the Chimú people.
The Huaca arcoiris is another Pre-Inca structure, Huaca del Dragón, which can be seen on the outskirts of Trujillo. Built entirely of adobe, this ancient temple operated as both a ceremonial and administrative center. Its walls are covered with murals of anthropomorphic figures depicting a rainbow.
El Palacio Iturregui de Trujillo is styled like a Renaissance Florentine Palace. The castle includes three courtyards, one of which contains a garden with statues and a fountain. Aside from sculptures, archaeological relics are on display.
Viagens Machu Picchu provides a variety of hotel options, including those listed in Trujillo and throughout the country. If you need any additional information about our destination alternatives, please do not hesitate to contact our travel agents. We're here to help you find the perfect lodging for your vacation.
