Alameda de los Descalzos, Colonial promenade in Rímac, Peru
Alameda de los Descalzos is a colonial-era walkway in the Rímac neighborhood that stretches about 450 meters (1,475 feet) and is lined with marble benches, Italian statues, and decorative iron vases. The paved path is bordered by two side roads and features several fountains positioned along the central walkway.
Viceroy Juan de Mendoza y Luna ordered its establishment in 1611, drawing inspiration from the Alameda de Hercules in Seville, Spain's first public garden. The project emerged as part of colonial urban development, intended to enhance Lima's prestige and provide a space for social life.
The name comes from the barefoot Carmelite friars who once lived nearby and shaped the area's identity. Today, you can observe locals and visitors strolling in the shade of the trees and resting on benches, continuing a tradition that has endured for centuries.
The site is easily walkable and provides shade through mature trees, which is welcome on hot days. Visitors should come early in the morning or late afternoon to enjoy the most comfortable temperatures.
Three ancient fountains donated by Agustín Hipólito de Landaburu stand along the central walkway and represent an unusual act of private generosity from the colonial period. These fountains are rare surviving examples of the site's original furnishings.
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