Monumento a los defensores de la frontera

The Monumento a los defensores de la frontera is a war memorial in El Campo de Marte built on a granite pedestal featuring twenty-eight bronze figures. The sculptures depict soldiers in combat at the front, while representations of Justice and International Law appear elsewhere on the monument, rising approximately 25 meters from its base.

The memorial was built between 1944 and 1945 under President Manuel Prado Ugarteche to honor soldiers who died in the 1941 war between Peru and Ecuador. This conflict marked a major armed confrontation over border territory between the two nations, and the monument served to commemorate that pivotal moment.

The bronze figures represent the regions of Tumbes, Jaén, and Maynas, showing the territories most affected by the border conflict. The statues of the Marañón and Amazon Rivers emphasize the geographical importance of these waterways to the frontier provinces.

The monument sits in El Campo de Marte, a public plaza that is easily accessible from various directions with multiple viewing angles. The best viewing experience comes during daytime when sunlight clearly highlights the details of the bronze sculptures and the overall structure.

The rear of the monument features a bronze handshake between a Peruvian and an Ecuadorian figure, symbolizing reconciliation after the war. Many visitors overlook this detail, yet it expresses the monument's message of peace between the two nations.

Location: Lima District

Inception: 1943

Creator: Artemio Ocaña

GPS coordinates: -12.06831,-77.04119

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21