Trujillo Travel Guide
Travel to Trujillo - Where Colonial and Ancient History collide
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The beautiful colonial city of Trujillo with its colourful plaza is a perfect place from which to explore the exciting region of La Libertad. Discover colonial mansions that line every street, each with their own story to tell. Venture out of the city to some of the continent's most spectacular and intriguing ruins, such as the towering pyramids of the Moche, decorated with images of the Great Decapitator.
Once you're done absorbing the Trujillo's vast and expansive history, retire to the nearby beaches of Huanchaco. Here you can enjoy a plate of Peru's signature dish Ceviche and watch in awe as the local fisherman still paddle out into the waves to make their catch in the same type of reed rafts used by their ancestors millennia ago.
On December 6, 1534, Diego de Almagro founded the city under the name of "Villa Trujillo" in honour of lead Conquistador Francisco Pizarro's birthplace – Trujillo in Extremadura, Spain. After officially being declared a city by the Spanish king, Trujillo went on to develop its own colonial architectural style with tall windows protected with wrought-iron bars that are unique to the city.
Trujillo later played a significant role in the struggle against Spanish rule. The city declared its independence in 1820, served as temporary capital of Peru in 1825 and hosted the main headquarters of independence fighter Simón Bolívar which can today be visited.
Before the Spanish arrived, the Chimú were managing their vast empire from their city of Chan Chan nearby. Their demise came when they lost their empire at the hands of the Incas, who arrived in these parts and claimed Chimú territory for themselves.
The Chimú were descendants of the Moche, a feared warrior people who carried out ritual human sacrifice in order to control the extreme patterns of weather that affect these parts. Leaving behind huge pyramids decorated with images of battle, sacrifice and their Great Decapitator god, it was years of floods and droughts that no amount of human sacrifice could prevent that led to their demise.
Attractions in Trujillo
There are many interesting places to visit in Trujillo. Some of the main attractions include the Colonial Centre, with its large colourful Plaza Mayor and the Casa Ganoza Chopitea which is perhaps best preserved colonial mansion in the region.
Nearby, the ancient ruins of Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna are incredible remnants of Moche civilisation and the beach town of Huanchaco is just 15 minutes from the centre of Trujillo offering some fresh Pacific air, with a Peruvian twist.
Activities in Trujillo
Enjoy the surf in Huanchaco, the best within reach of the city of Trujillo.
Climb to the top of the Huaca de la Luna and survey the vast expanse between it and the huge Huaca del Sol, where a thriving city once stood.
From the sea direct to your mouth. Spend a day moving from restaurant to restaurant in Huanchaco, or if sea food is not your thing, enjoy delicious Creole food in Trujillo.
Relaxing
Spend a day on Huanchaco's popular beaches or seated in its equally popular beach-front restaurants.
Getting Around
Organised tours can be found in central Trujillo that can transport visitors to all the nearby archaeological sites.
Local buses and taxis are relatively cheap and all sites are within reach of the city.
The colonial city centre is best explored on foot during the day, and re-explored on foot at night.
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