Miraflores, Lima, Peru (A)

Founded in 1964, this museum features art and artifacts from the private collection of Yoshitaro Amano, with a focus on a number of ancient cultures of northern Peru. The Chancay culture – who occupied the area between about 1100 and 1450 AD – is the best represented among the museum exhibits, and includes a number of fantastic textile and ceramic pieces. For example, the Museo Amano has the largest and best collection of Chancay gauzes in existence – which are made from twisted yarn on backstrap looms. Tours are given in English and Japanese (Mr. Amano being one member of an influx of Japanese immigrants to Peru).

Also called the Huaca Juliana, this adobe and clay pyramid structure built from seven platforms is located northwest of central Miraflores. The site dates to about 400 AD, and was built by the Lima Culture – who lived in the area that is today the central Peruvian coast between about 200 AD and 700 AD. The pyramid’s name loosely translates to “a place for ritual games”, and was used for religious leaders to make offerings to the gods in order to be granted control of area water resources (both freshwater and saltwater). Surrounding the pyramid is an ancient plaza, and the entire archaeological site is contained within a larger park, complete with an on-site museum.

This is the original park of central Miraflores, before being expanded and split into two parks – Parque Central and Parque Kennedy – in the 1940’s, and a remodel about ten years ago. Containing about 22,000 square meters of space, the triangular Parque Central has a small amphitheater (called “Chabuca Granda”) at its center, where you will often witness live music events. Amid well-manicured flowerbeds, vendors, kissing couples on park benches, and energetic children, Parque Central occupies the hub of the very busy Miraflores business district – with a number of restaurants, bars, and shops across both the Avenida Jose Larco and Diagonal.

Located right in the heart of the Miraflores shopping and financial district, this monument memorializes the victims of a 1992 terrorist attack. On July 16th, 1992, a car bomb set by the separatist group called the Shining Path killed 25 people and wounded nearly 200 more. The insurgent attack – in an attempt to destabilize the Peruvian government – targeted the Banco de Credito del Peru. The attack on Tarata was part of a multi-pronged set of insurgent attacks that Summer on a number of sites – television stations, government buildings and employees, etc. – with the group angered by the dissolution of Congress and suspension of Peru’s constitution by Peru’s President, Alberto Fujimori.

At the coastal edge of Miraflores – at the west end of the Avenue Jose Larco – sits the Parque Salazar. The park is named for famed Peruvian aviator Alfredo Salazar, who crashed his malfunctioning plane into this site in 1937, while rehearsing for an air show to celebrate the inauguration of a monument to Jorge Chavez. Salazar died in the accident – but chose to crash-land at this site in order to avoid hitting the urban population inland. This is a popular gathering place – especially for young Peruvians – overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the open-air LarcoMar shopping center below the cliff top.

Fittingly opened on Valentine’s Day of 1993, this monument celebrates love from a romantic setting atop the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The huge, iconic sandstone sculpture, called “El Beso” (“The Kiss”), is the park’s centerpiece – and sits among a small amphitheater normally populated by cuddling couples. The artist Victor Delfin created this sculpture of two lovers locked in a passionate embrace. Other artwork includes a wavy wall of ornate mosaic tiles on the Cliffside edge. The Parque del Amor is a popular place for wedding photos or post-nuptial celebrations – as well as a great place to watch paragliders by day and gorgeous sunsets by night. To end this tour, simply catch a taxi along Malecon Cisneros, or walk northeast on Malecon Balta to catch a bus or taxi from the area of Parque Central.