The Spanish settlers in Spain, upon their deaths, often wanted to be buried beneath the churches they had built on what they considered foreign and certainly un-Christian land. Doing so they thought was the only way of ensuring themselves a place in heaven. The richest or most important Spaniards in Lima were given prime spots – beneath the alter of the city’s grand cathedral. Here, when work on the church’s foundations was being carried out in 1977, a led box was found proclaiming; “Here is the head of Don Francisco Pizarro, Don Francisco Pizarro who discovered Peru and presented it to the crown of Castile.”
January 30, 2009 | Culture & History, Lima City Guide
![Part 3: A visit to the men’s prison in San Juan del Lurigancho [Featured]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3395439630_49fd35692a_m.jpg)
Junior Moya is a Peruvian living in Lima who recently had the opportunity to visit the infamous men’s prison located in the run down district of San Juan de Lurigancho. In three parts, he tells us of his experience. (Thanks Junior!)
January 30, 2009 | Opinion
![Part 2: A visit to the men’s prison in San Juan del Lurigancho [Featured]]()
Junior Moya is a Peruvian living in Lima who recently had the opportunity to visit the infamous men’s prison located in the run down district of San Juan de Lurigancho. In three parts, he tells us of his experience. (Thanks Junior!)
January 29, 2009 | Opinion
Anyone with any sense hates plastic bottles – the non-biodegradable waste they cause and the blighting of the landscape when people carelessly throw them away. And you would think people visiting world famous and historic sites such as Machu Picchu would have more respect – but no, one of the first things I noticed when I visited were dozens of plastic bottles on the way up, and yet more scattered around the ruins.
January 28, 2009 | News
Junior Moya is a Peruvian living in Lima who recently had the opportunity to visit the infamous men’s prison located in the run down district of San Juan de Lurigancho. In three parts, he tells us of his experience. (Thanks Junior!)
January 28, 2009 | Opinion
Months ago, a collector received a visit from an antique trader. “What I saw was something I would have hoped not to”, said the witness speaking to newspaper El Comercio. He was offered several pieces that could have only come from one source: Peru’s National Library. The trader even had photocopies of other examples he had already sold, also from the library. The collector refused to buy them and explained he would have to report the trader.
Two days later other person arrived with the same books, having bought them and now looking to sell them on. The collector contacted another bibliophile to help finance their purchase, their aim being to avoid the repeated sale of, and potential damage to, these antique treasures.
What they bought was enough to anger any lover of libraries or indeed history:- four books published between the 16th and 19th centuries, three in Spain and one in Mexico, all of which in the catalogues of the rarest books in the country.
January 27, 2009 | News
So, what is the tourist, with more time in Lima then they’d prefer and no interest in a city experience, to do?
The truth is, Peru is such a magical place that you do not need to go too far outside the city of Lima to find attractions that rival those elsewhere in the country. From desert oases, pretty Andean villages and ancient pyramids to hiking trails, white water rafting and horseback riding – here’s the run down of nearby weekend getaways.
January 26, 2009 | Lima City Guide, Nature
For the second time in as many months, the affects of global warming on Peru’s rare tropical glaciers is made painfully evident.
Peru’s National Institute for Natural Resources (INRENA) has reported that the Quilca glacier in Puno, 5250 m.a.s.l., has now completely vanished. This is an ominous warming for a country where the vast majority of the population lives on a desert coast who’s rivers are fed by melt waters from similar glaciers.
January 23, 2009 | News
Famous Japanese archaeologist Izumi Shimada brought to our attention not many months ago the systematic destruction of the Sicán pyramids and algarobo forests by invasores – squatters who illegaly occupy land. Rushing to Peru and forced to abandon his teaching position in South Illinois University, he attempted to make local authorities to take action. Unfortunately, regional police chief Víctor Ordinola explained his force was too busy preparing for independence day festivities.
It had been almost 7 years since the natural and archaeological sanctuary of the Bosque de Pomac had been invaded and settled. The destruction was immediate, with vast areas of natural habitat for endangered species destroyed. With the destruction of part of an ancient Sicán temple, and after a six month delay, local authorities yesterday decided to act.
January 21, 2009 | News
Floods caused by the strong rains in the Andes of the past few days, an event that occurs every year, have affected one of the famous lines, part of dozens declared a UNESCO site in 1994.
Following information from archaeologist Mario Olaechea, coordinator of the National Institute of Culture (INC) in Nasca, the flash flood in question was caused by rain that has fallen in the Andean gully known as San Pablo, carving a path through the normally dry and barren Nazcan desert towards the figure known as la mano or the hand.
January 19, 2009 | News
Machu Picchu: Its more than 32,000 hectares are home to 423 types of birds, 352 kinds of butterflies, 41 species of mammals and 13 species of river creature that are protected by the National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA). To see them you simply need to travel along the Inca trail, which is offers the best access to the biological reserve.
January 19, 2009 | Cusco Guide, Nature
This mansion in the colonial heart of Lima is as beautiful as it is unique. In its 200 year history it has seen two wealthy owners come and go, leaving it with two names. I happened to be passing by when Lizardo Retes, who takes care of the site that is now a cultural centre, offered to show me around – and to the roof where you can see as far as Callao.
January 16, 2009 | Culture & History, Lima City Guide
