As we know that during the Independence Day season your adventurous heart beats faster and invites you to travel and discover Peru, we have prepared a list of tourist destinations that bear the patriotic seal of independence engraved on them.
The independence process was a milestone in the history of the country and in July we celebrate this event. As part of it, it took place in different cities and at different times. Places that today you can visit, get to know, learn and feel a little more proud of stepping on Peruvian territory.
PLAZA MAYOR DE LIMA
The Plaza Mayor of Lima is the most emblematic place where the Independence of Peru was proclaimed. On July 28, 1821, General Don José de San Martín appeared before a crowd gathered in said square and declared independence from the Spanish viceroyalty.
As a historic site in the country, the Plaza Mayor is surrounded by some of the most important and representative buildings that can be visited: the Cathedral of Lima and its museum, the Government Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Club de la Unión.
Meanwhile, the Plaza Mayor of Lima is a place that offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors. There are guided tours and tours available that offer a detailed view of the history, as well as the secrets of the square and its surroundings. There are also restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy the well-known Peruvian cuisine. Why not!
HUAURA BALCONY
The Huaura balcony is also an emblematic place full of historical meaning. Located in the city of Huaura, Lima region, this balcony is known for having been the first stage of the proclamation of independence, by General San Martín, on November 27, 1820.
Here you can visit the Site Museum located next to the balcony, where a collection of objects and historical documents about the proclamation of independence and life in Huaura during the colonial era are exhibited. What better way to get closer to the history of Peru than visiting this place?
HUAMANGA, AYACUCHO
The Peruvian independence movement was consolidated in Huamanga. On November 1, 1820, General Juan Antonio Álvarez de Arenales, who was part of the Liberation Army commanded by San Martín, proclaimed the independence of this province.
To learn about the history of Peru you have to visit the Historical Sanctuary of the Pampa de Ayacucho. And it is in this place that the remembered Battle of Ayacucho was fought on December 9, 1824, the last decisive war cry for the independence of Peru and South America.
With an imposing commemorative obelisk of 44 meters long, this place offers impressive panoramic views of the region, where you can record incredible postcards and videos. If your adventurous heart is looking for something more adrenaline, you can take bike rides around the area, visit the Wari archaeological complex or explore Vilcas Huamán.
You can also visit the Joaquín López Antay House Museum, dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of the famous Peruvian craftsman, who perpetuated the altarpieces, living evidence of Peruvian and Spanish cultural syncretism.
CUSCO
Talking about Cusco is referring to a region that was the center of the Inca empire and a city with indescribable magic. The independence of Peru was proclaimed in Cusco as a formal ceremony on January 9, 1825, by Marshal Agustín Gamarra at the Municipal Palace.
If you like to learn about history, Cusco is a city that holds an ancestral cultural legacy. We know that your tour includes Machu Picchu, but don't forget some of the city's gems.
For example, visiting the Plaza de Armas, the heart of Cusco, surrounded by colonial churches and historic buildings, is an ideal place to start a visit to the city. Tour the Temple of the Sun, with walls built with perfectly fitted stones, typical of Inca architecture. A real must!
And strolling through the San Blas neighborhood, known for its narrow cobblestone streets, craft shops and art galleries, is a perfect place to explore and enjoy.
JUNÍN
Just like Cusco, and after a series of vicissitudes, the founding of Junín took place several years after the Battle of Ayacucho, specifically on September 13, 1825. With the celebration of the 200th anniversary next August, it remains in history that the Battle of Junín, on August 6, 1824, meant the penultimate confrontation against the Spanish forces for the independence of Peru and South America.
It is no secret, then, that the pampas of Junín become a must-see place. These fields of pure history are located in the Historic Sanctuary of Chacamarca, where you can also see the imposing monument "Vencedores de Junín".
If trekking and mountaineering are your thing, the Huaytapallana snow-capped mountain offers incredible panoramic views and the opportunity to observe the flora and fauna of the region. As well as Lake Chinchaycocha in the Junín National Reserve.
There is no doubt that Peru is a country of astonishing diversity and history. With a past as important as that of the Incas and a glorious process of independence, every corner of the Peruvian territory has kept a small fragment of a Nation.
