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Peru
Trujillo "Capital of Eternal Spring"
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Trujillo, capital of the region of La Libertad, is the third largest city in Peru. It lies on the north coast, in the Moche River valley where the Moche and Chimu civilizations developed between 200 B.C. and A.D. 700. These cultures were remarkable for their pottery and work in gold and silver.
Its year-round pleasant climate has earned it the title of 'Capital of Eternal Spring'. It has sunshine all year round and its climate is temperate and warm, and particularly hot during the summer months (December-March). Beautiful colonial churches and homes surround its large main square.
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San Agustin Church in Trujillo
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It has wonderful beaches such as Delicias, Salaverry, Huanchaco and Chicama, gathering points for international surfing competitions and where local fishermen still use “caballitos de totora,” reed canoes built in the same way for thousands of years. Restaurants in Trujillo offer a variety of fresh seafood dishes, as well as local and international cuisine.To the south of the city of Trujillo stand the Ceremonial Centers or Huacas known as the Temples of the Sun and the Moon of the Moche civilization. It is believed that they were, respectively, an administrative center and a center of worship. The Temple of the Sun is a graded pyramid 141 ft tall, while the Temple of the Moon, only 545 yards distant, is made up of superimposed temples built at different times during the Moche civilization.
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Totora reed boats in Huanchaco |
Some of the walls have dramatic polychrome murals with clear details that show the face of the fire god Aia-Paec.
CHAN CHAN “the adobe metropolis” (which means Sun-Sun), lies in the Moche Valley, 3 miles northwest of the city of Trujillo. It was the religious and administrative capital of the Chimu kingdom until the conquest by the Incas. The archaeological site covers an area of 7.7 km square. One of Chan Chan's features is its walls, which are heavily decorated with haute-relief geometric, animal and mythological figures. Today, the archaeological complex has an on site museum and tourist facilities. Can be visited all year round.
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Decorated Wall in Chan Chan |
The typical dance of the coast is the “marinera” and Trujillo is where the most important competitions are held, earning it the name of Capital of the Peruvian Marinera. Trujillo is also an important breeding and competition center for Peruvian Paso Horses.
Activities
Archaeology, bird watching, angling, trekking and surfing (Huanchaco and Chicama).
Nearby Attractions
Trujillo historical center: houses and churches.
Other archaeological sites: Huaca El Dragon, El Brujo, etc. Seaside towns of Huanchaco, Puerto Malabrigo and Pacasmayo.
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