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Pimentel (Photo: H. Mazzotti)
   
Marinera Dance (Photo: J. Mazzotti)
 
Causa, typical food (Photo: PromPerú)
 
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Monsefú handycrafts (Photo: PromPerú)
 
Peruvian Horse (Photo: J. Mazzotti)
 
     
   
 
 
Chiclayo

"The city of friendship"

Location:    
North coast, 95 feet above sea level (29 m)

Distances:   
474 miles (763 km) from Lima.
128 miles (206 km) from Trujillo.
160.3 miles (258 km) from Cajamarca.
130.5 miles (210 km) from Piura (Mórrope)

Population:  
517,000 inhabitants (2000)

Weather:

Chiclayo is the capital of the department of Lambayeque; it is a skilful and economical power city from the north of the country. Located on a productive valley, where agriculture activities are very important, outstanding rice production, sugar cane and cotton. It is a strategic point in the middle of many highways and roads connections.

In its valleys flourished many important pre-Inca cultures, such as "Lambayeque", "Sicán", "Mochica" and "Chimú". Part of its culture and treasures can be seen in Lambayeque at the Brüning Museum.

During the Colony, it was only a simple Indian village in the road that connected Lambayeque and Zaña. Colony constructions does not exist, nevertheless today it is a city in full development process, having important discoveries as a main entrance, such as "El Señor de Sipán" at Huaca Rajada (important master recently discovered with his in-life treasures), "Señor de Sicán" at Batangrande and Túcume. Thanks to these important discoveries, Chiclayo turns out to be the second important destiny, after Cusco, for the archaeological and cultural tourism in Peru.

The kindness and warmness of the people from Lambayeque had worth the nickname of "capital of friendship"; being very religious and having devotion to "Cruz de Chalpón", that each year celebrate a great festival that joins a lot of pilgrims in Motupe from all the country.

In Monsefú and Eten, expert craftsmen, descendents of the Mochicans (important pre-Incas culture) work with straw and fine yarn, and ceramics.

Visiting Chiclayo

Archaeological Sites: There are hundreds of archaeological centers located in the valleys of Zaña, Lambayeque, La Leche and Motupe, where the pre-Inca cultures, Lambayeque, Sicán, Mochica and Chimú, developed until the arrival of the Incas.  In these valleys jewels of gold had been found and extracted, forming the fabulous collection appreciated in "Museo de Oro de Lima" (Gold Museum of Lima). Outstanding the recent discoveries of "Señor de Sipán" (Lord of Sipan) in Huaca Rajada, "Señor de Sicán" in Batangrande and the pyramids of  Túcume

Brüning Museum: Museum and investigation center, located in Lambayeque 17 km. (10.5 miles) north of Chiclayo. Has a great collection of ceramic and metallic pieces, fabrics and jewels, of the pre-Incas regional cultures. Outstanding the collection of "Señor de Sipán", the same that was presented in the principal museums of the entire world.

Sicán Museum: Inaugurated in May 2001. Exhibition of archaeological pieces of the Sicán Culture and pieces of fabulous Lord of Sicán.

Surrounding areas from the city: Picturesque rural towns with a great ancestral history and beautiful marine landscapes in their coastal fisheries and resorts invite you to travel in time and see the evolution of the Mochicans.


See also: