Barranco is a district of Lima, Peru. A seaside district of the city, it is considered a bohemian and artistic centre, being the home and working place of many of Peru's leading artists, musicians, designers and photographers. Its beaches are among the most popular within the worldwide surfing community, and a marina completed in 2008 provides state-of-the-art services for its yacht club.
The Monumental Zone of Barranco (Spanish: Zona Monumental de Barranco) is the designation under which most of the district is administered under a special regime that protects the monumental heritage located within. The area, alongside its monuments, are part of the Cultural heritage of Peru.
Etymology
The name Barranco is Spanish for ravine. Barranco has two ravines; one in the north where Armendariz Avenue is situated between Miraflores District and Barranco, and one near the central part, the Bajada de los Baños.
History
San José de Surco was founded on 26 October 1874, with the Hermitage of Barranco chosen as its capital.[2] The hermitage's location is traditionally considered the origin of the district, with an 18th-century legend claiming that two Indian fishermen who had become lost at sea managed to find their way to the shore through a light cast by a cross located on the site.[3]
In the 19th century, it was a very fashionable beach resort for the local upper-class (also known as the aristocracy), alongside neighbouring Chorrillos.
During the 2010s and 2020s, many high rises and other projects began to be built in Barranco as a result of Urban renewal, replacing a number of the district's traditional buildings.
The cliffs of Chorrillos shield Barranco from colder and more humid winds coming from the South. As a result, Barranco has a micro-climate that is warmer and drier than many of the other districts of Lima, which are generally more humid, especially between May and October.
Culture
Landmarks
The Monumental Zone of Barranco is the designation under which a large part of the district has been administered since 1972, in which a number of buildings have been granted UNESCO's blue shield since 2024. Barranco has many houses in the colonial and Republican style (called "casonas"), flower-filled parks and streets, and appealing beachfront areas. A number of high-rise buildings have been constructed in areas surrounding the district's historic quarter, near the district's limits with Miraflores and Santiago de Surco.
Landmarks included in the Monumental Zone
Name
Location
Notes
Photo
Alameda Sáenz Peña
Tree-lined avenue surrounded by a number of 19th-century and early to mid-20th century buildings. An obelisk dedicated to José de San Martín sits at its intersection with San Martín Avenue, and a statue of Mafalda is found at its end near a coastal viewpoint. It is named after Argentine politician Roque Sáenz Peña, who fought for Peru during the War of the Pacific.
Named after Peruvian admiral Miguel Grau, it serves as one of the district's main avenues, connecting it with Miraflores and passing through its central park and merging with Francisco Bolognesi Avenue two blocks to the park's south.
Avenida Pedro de Osma
One of the main avenues of the district. It begins next to Municipal Park and continues into Chorrillos District. A transit line of the former cable car system crosses its western side.
Pedestrian promenade that connects the central part of the district with a footpath that descends towards a beach on the other side of the coast's highway.
Biblioteca Municipal Manuel Beingolea
Municipal Park
Manuel Beingolea Municipal Library was inaugurated on October 1, 1922, under the mayoralty of Enrique de las Casas and during the presidency of Augusto B. Leguía. It was initially inaugurated on the left part of its current premises, moving to Fraternity Park in 1958 and moving to its current building in 1966, forming part of the cultural heritage of Peru.[6] It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.[7]
Casa Dasso
Av. Sáenz Peña
Private residence dating back to the early 20th century. It is an integral part of Sáenz Peña Avenue's monumental axis.
Casa De la Puente Wiese
Alameda Sáenz Peña
Built between 1915 and 1920 in an eclectic style as a residence. It also features neo-Moorish and neo-Gothic ornaments in its façade. It currently functions as a contemporary art gallery. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.[7][8]
—
Casa Ferrand Zavala
Jirón Cajamarca
Private residence built in 1911 using adobe and wood. It has since been preserved as a representative building of its time period, and was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.[7][9]
—
Casa Miró Quesada
Al. Sáenz Peña & Av. San Martín
The building dates back to 1914, and was designed by French architect Claude Sahut. It currently operates as the Hotel B, a boutique hotel. It is an integral part of Sáenz Peña Avenue's monumental axis, giving the avenue its historic character. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.[7][10]
Casa Piselli
Jr. 28 de Julio & Melgar
Corner building dating back to 1923, built using adobe and wood. It is currently used by García Bustamante, a law firm after which it is also named. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.[7][11]
—
Casa República
Av. Sáenz Peña 208
Built in 1915 and designed by architect Enrique Bianchi[es], with Moorish and Art Nouveau influences. It was restored in 2009, and currently functions as a hotel and restaurant. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.[7][12]
Casa Rosell-Ríos
Av. Grau 426-428-430
Private residence built between 1909 and 1912 as a summer home for the family of the same name and designed by French architect H. Ratouin (who was possibly assisted by Hugo Behr and Francisco Alva).[13][14]
Private residence commissioned by María Luisa Solari de Checa as her residence and built by Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski in a Republican style.[15] It was donated to Spain in the 1920s, whose government has since used the building as its ambassadorial residence.
Casa Zegarra
Jirón Martínez de Pinillos & Pasaje Tacna
Building designed by Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski dating back to 1923, combining neo-classical, Victorian and Art Nouveau styles. Originally built as a residence, it currently houses a boutique hotel. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.[7][16]
Scenic viewpoint located at the end of La Ermita street. It was built in late 1898 under the administration of Mayor Pedro Allemant Centeno (1896–1899).[6] It is immediately surrounded by traditional buildings, which house restaurants and bed and breakfast establishments.
Municipalidad de Barranco
Municipal park
Administrative headquarters of the district's municipal government. A mural dedicated to singer Chabuca Granda is located to its side, which faces the road that descends toward the Bridge of Sighs.
The former residence of Pedro and Angélica de Osma Gildemeister, it currently functions as a museum with a permanente Viceregal collection in display. It received UNESCO's blue shield in 2024.[22]
Parque Municipal de Barranco
The district's central park was inaugurated on February 13, 1898, by then mayor Pedro Solari. A fountain with a naiad's sculpture was installed in 1906, and the park was completely remodelled in 1943, giving the public space its current appearance.[23] The district's municipal library, municipal building, and church all surround the park.
Parroquia La Santísima Cruz
Municipal Park
The damage suffered by the Hermitage of Barranco due to the an earthquake led to a request reaching the city's archbishop, requesting his authorisation to build a new church.[3] This was granted in 1942, with construction works starting in 1944 before being ultimately consecrated by Juan Landázuri Ricketts on June 1, 1963,[6][24] in a ceremony attended by the church's patrons, siblings Pedro and Angélica de Osma Gildemeister.[6]
The Bridge of Sighs receives its name from its the popular tradition that indicated the place as a meeting point for romanctic couples.[25][26] It dates back to 1876, having been rebuilt after its destruction by Chilean troops in 1881, who occupied the area during the War of the Pacific.
It addition to the landmarks above, Barranco also has a number of beaches (Los Yuyos, Las Cascadas, Los Pavos, Barranquito, and Las Sombrillas).[27][28] A marina opened in 2008.
Transport
The district's Pedro de Osma Avenue is serviced by a scenic tramway route, once part of the broader system that once serviced the whole city and its surroundings. Francisco Bolognesi Avenue is serviced by a route of the Metropolitano bus system.
↑ Sánchez Campos, Elvis (2004). Estudio de renovación urbana de atractivos turísticos en el distrito de Barranco (in Spanish). Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería. p.49.
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