Architecture of Peru

Peruvian architecture is surrounded by a wide range of elements from many architectures: its origins date back to the structures of the Incas, and later to colonial-era buildings, and Peruvian architects' transformation based on Baroque and Neoclassic European styles.

Fortunately, a series of examples of Incan architecture stays intact, which was developed until the beginning of the Spanish conquest in 1532.

By the middle of the 20th century, a period of modernization and construction appeared in Lima’s historical center in 1988 UNESCO declared Lima’s historical center a world heritage site, which inspired many laws designed to protect and care for the city’s buildings.

Peru’s architectural traditions can be divided into three categories – pre-Columbian, colonial, and contemporary – with illustrations of each visible for those who visit this South American destination.

Peruvian architecture has its origins in pre-Incan cultures, including the Moche, Chimu, and Chavin sites in the country’s north. The Chavin de Huantar archaeological site which lies around 250 kilometers north of Lima holds ruins dating back to around 1200 BC, although it was during 500-400 BC that the Chavín people occupied the settlement.

Further north lies the city of Chan Chan at the mouth of the Moche River which is believed to have been the largest pre-Columbian city in South America. It served as the capital of the historic Chimor Empire from 900 to 1470 AD, before being defeated by the Inca and incorporated into their empire. It featured ten walled Ciudadela, each of which had ceremonial rooms, burial chambers, temples, reservoirs, and residences for the Chimu kings, with funerary ceramics indicating their significance. The adobe brick walls are intricately carved with animals, including sea creatures due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean

The Spanish colonized Peru during the 16th century, conquering the last Inca stronghold in 1572 and establishing their cities in a style that became known as Spanish colonial or Viceroyal architecture. It fused popular European styles, such as Baroque and Renaissance, while retaining elements of traditional Incan architecture.

In Cusco, for example, they retained the existing grid-like streets which were established by the Inca empire, together with the open plazas. Many of the existing religious buildings were replaced by those of the Roman Catholic church, while residences for the elite were replaced with those for the Spanish colonial authorities. Lima’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center provides many examples of Viceroyal architecture, including the Archbishop’s Palace, the House of Aliaga, and the House of Pilatos which was built in 1590 and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city. Of particular importance are the more than 1,600 balconies which were built during the era and are of distinct architectural significance in Lima.

Lima’s historic center was only declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 following a period of rapid construction and modernization in the city. Peru’s Spanish colonial architecture is also illustrated in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Arequipa. It is for its white-washed buildings constructed using sillar stone sourced from the surrounding volcanoes, with Catholic churches and monasteries interspersed with mansions in its streets. The city of Ayacucho in Peru’s south also features colonial-era structures, including the Templo de Santo Domingo and the 17th-century Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas.

While Peru is known for its pre-Incan, Incan, and Spanish colonial architecture, Lima’s growing modern skyline draws on international influences. Following the opening of the Panama Canal and World War I, the city saw a period of prosperity, with several Art Nouveau houses built and the construction of Plaza San Martin.

In most rural regions of Peru, architectural traditions have remained unchanged for centuries. For example, Whitewashed adobe bricks are still used in dwellings today, combined with roofs constructed from wood, straw, or hand-made clay tiles.

In the 21st century, contemporary architects of Peruvian descent are working in cities around the world.

In Peru, the thousand-year-old architectural legacy of some of its many archaeological sites (19,903 to be exact). Here are some of the Archaeological Sites.

Located in the South of Peru, in the Urubamba Valley. Machu Picchu, Cuzco.

It was built before the fifteenth century on the rocky promontory that connects the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains on the eastern slope of the Central Cordillera. It is stone buildings that makeup steps, terraces, and paths of a fortress that is wisely placed in its landscape. Throughout its existence, it has enjoyed a veil of mystery.

Located in the South of Lima, in the Lurín Valley.

This archaeological complex was the most important religious-ceremonial center of the central coast of Peru for more than 1500 years, during the pre-Inca and Inca periods.

Located on the Northern coast of Lima, in the District of Ate.

The construction of this architectural complex comes from the Inca culture. This monument was the palace of a curaca (ruler) where he lived and administered

Located on the northern coast of Peru, northwest of Trujillo.

It is the largest adobe-built city in the Americas and the second-largest in the world. It is formed by nine citadels (small walled cities). The whole complex was the capital of the Chimor Kingdom and the Chimú culture.

Located north of the city of Cuzco.

The large plaza, capable of holding thousands of people, was designed for communal ceremonial activities. Several of the large structures at the site may also have been used during rituals. A similar relationship to that between Cuzco and Sacsayhuamán was replicated by the Inca in their distant colony

Located in the district of Lucre, southeast of the city of Cuzco

Pikillaqta is a village of the Wari people. Wari was the Centre village and other cities like Pikillaqta were influenced by it. The Wari also inhabited many other sites around the area.

Located in the Jumana Pampas, Nazca Desert in Ica.

The Nazca Lines (Líneas de Nazca) are ancient geoglyphs composed of several hundred figures that range from simple designs such as lines to complex zoomorphic, hylomorphic, and geometric figures that appear traced on the earth's surface.

• Machu Picchu
• Pachacamac
• Puruchuco
• Chan Chan
• Sacsayhuamán
• Pikillaqta
• Nazca Lines