Oechsle – Peru’s original department store

The Oechsle chain of department stores has an almost legendary status among Limeños old enough to remember it. Long before the arrival of the Chilean chains Ripley and Saga, back when Lima was a developed and modern city, Oechsle was regarded as one of the most successful and important department stores in South America.

March 3, 2010 | Culture & History

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Arturo “Zambo” Cavero (1940-2009)

One of Peru’s greats, the embodiment of Peruvianism and the creole culture of Peru’s coastal regions, passed away today as a result of poor general health. The loss of this one man that became a symbol of Peruvian identity will be felt deeply across Peru and especially on the coast, but also across Latin American and the world. His inimitable voice captivated his listeners in a way that few other artists have ever been able to do, somehow making every word his sang sound unmistakeably and unequivocally PERUANO.

October 9, 2009 | Culture & History, News

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Colonial Callao

Starting life as a rocky bay that was the nearest natural port to Pizarro’s capital of Los Reyes, El Callao soon became the most important port in the Spanish colonies. It has witnessed colonial splendour, pirate attacks, disastrous tsunamis, battles, republican splendour and economic collapse. Each of these events have left a mark on the city and the chalacos that live there, many of these marks visible to this day.

May 21, 2009 | Culture & History, Lima City Guide

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The first Peruvian car

Such is Peruvian ingenuity that this was the first nation in South America to produce high-quality automobiles. World-beating ones at that. But as great as Peruvian creativity… is a lack Peruvian self esteem. What could have been the start of a major Peruvian industry was snuffed out by Peruvians themselves, who then, as now, see everything from abroad as better, whether it really is or not.

May 7, 2009 | Culture & History, Opinion

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Real Felipe Fortress

The Fortaleza del Real Felipe is the most prominent landmark in Callao. Built during colonial times, it was used to defend Spain’s most important port in the Americas against pirates and corsairs who would otherwise raid Callao or nearby Lima as they did up and down the Pacific coast. Today it is a tourist attraction and museum run by Peru’s army.

April 24, 2009 | Culture & History, Lima City Guide

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Limatambo and the Huacas Santa Catalina & Balconcillo

Between the two neighbouring administrative areas of Maranga and Sulcovilca was Limatambo. Once a busy town surrounded by fields, only two structures still exist on the edge of San Isidro and in La Victoria.

April 23, 2009 | Archaeology, Culture & History, Lima City Guide

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Carnavales

February is over, it is finally safe to come out of hiding and explain how carnival is celebrated in Peru. While Brazilians are building floats and flailing around, most Peruvians have to look over their shoulders. I have to mention Brazil because to most foreigners, the word carnival is synonymous with Peru’s largest neighbour. It may come as a surprise to many though that carnival is a big deal in Peru too – in fact, the next biggest and best carnival experience in the Americas is hosted in the north of the Andean country, in beautiful Cajamarca. Here the hugely anticipated event is the local population’s reason for being – and you can’t blame them, read about it here.

March 8, 2009 | Culture & History, Lima City Guide, Opinion

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Casa de Osambela-Oquendo

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

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Peru’s Amazonian Indigenous

In Peru’s vast Amazon region there are 65 ethnic groups with their own distinct traditions and languages passed down orally from generation to generation. What does the future hold for these peoples?

September 5, 2008 | Opinion

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Destruction of Lima’s architectural heritage [Featured]

Lima grows ever higher. In districts like Miraflores, Chorrillos, Barranco and San Isidro are loosing more and more of of their traditional homes, the majority of which built in the early 1900s. They are forced to make way for grand towers and modern apartments that ignore the style of the surrounding area and simply don’t fit. Worse still many defy urban-planning rules implemented by local municipalities.

August 19, 2008 | Culture & History, Lima City Guide

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Yma Sumac

Probably Peru’s greatest artist and definitely the best known internationally, female soprano Yma Sumac is nothing less than a legend.

Born Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chavarri del Castillo, she is said to be a direct descendent of Inca Atahualpa on the part of her mother, Ima Shumaq, though this, as well as her exact year and town of birth, isn’t truly known by anyone other than the woman herself.

July 29, 2008 | Culture & History

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Lima, Peru, 1944

Before Lima’s explosive growth it was a small, quiet, clean and very modern city. This documentary video, funded by the United States Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs in 1944 shows us a time that many older Limeños hold in high regard and with great nostalgia.

February 23, 2008 | Culture & History, Lima City Guide

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