Plaza de Armas of Trujillo

Plaza de Armas of Trujillo is a main square in the historic center of this northern Peruvian city, surrounded by white stone buildings from the colonial period. The cathedral dominates one side of the square, while mansions with continuous arcades form the other three sides and cast shade over the walkways.

Spanish colonizers founded this square in 1534 as the starting point from which Diego de Almagro ordered the layout of the city. The present design with the fountain and surrounding buildings took shape mostly during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Freedom Monument carries three levels showing art, science, trade, health, and liberation, reflecting how the city sees itself. Locals meet on the benches under the palm trees, while shoeshine workers and newspaper vendors go about their daily routines.

Four streets lead away from the square and connect it to restaurants, shops, and other buildings in the historic center. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is not directly overhead on the open square.

A white stone fountain was donated in 1841 by Pedro de Mandalengoitia Sanz de Zarate and brought here from his estate in Santa Cruz de Carabamba. The transport of the fountain through the mountains to the city took several weeks and required the use of ox-drawn carts.