San Martín de Porres – Huacas and a Peruvian saint

On the north bank of the Rímac, west of the center of the city of Lima, a large district extends to the north: San Martín de Porres. The district was created by the arrival of immigrants from other parts of Peru, who promised more work and a better life in the capital.

With its university and community facilities, it is above all a residential area of ​​middle class, but it is not a mistake to drag yourself as a visitor outside the central city, it depends on what you are looking for in Lima.

Are you interested in the ancient cultures of Peru? Then you’re right in San Martin de Porres. In the district there are several prehispanic Huacas cultures, including the Huaca El Paraíso and the Huaca Garagay. Both probably originated about 3500 years ago. In Garagay you should admire specially colored reliefs. Of course, the area was much less populated at the time of the creation of the Huacas, today the Huacas are stony places in the midst of urban architecture.

The fact that religion plays an important role in the culture of Peru can be seen not only in many churches. The district of San Martín de Porres was named after a Dominican monk. Born in 1597, Martin de Porres, the illegitimate son of a black woman from Panama and a Spaniard, entered the Dominican Order at the age of fifteen and remained there until the rest of his life. The monk and the later saint is famous above all for his mercy towards people and animals. Therefore, the statues that are exhibited in Lima, often show it with different animals.

Among the main attractions in San Martin de Porres is the monk’s birthplace, the House of San Martín de Porres. From the outside, the beautiful metal grilles and wooden doors stand out. Inside, the walls are partially decorated with Spanish tiles. You can also see a small chapel. There is a statue of the monk in front of the House of San Martín de Porres, so you can not stop seeing it.

In Lima you eat well almost everywhere. Both Peruvians and visitors love the national cuisine. However, several other cultures have been integrated into Peru. The result is a mixed cuisine, such as Japanese-Peruvian or Chinese-Peruvian, called Chifa. Chifa restaurants are several in San Martín. To mention is the Chifa Jumbo: the atmosphere is friendly, the dishes are tasty, attractively prepared, cheap and, above all, very, very sumptuous.