The Parque Municipal de Barranco is a plaza of Barranco which features the municipal library, the Iglesia Santisima Cruz, a stage for performing arts, fountain with benches and more.

Are you visiting Lima? Be sure to check out our Barranco Walking Tour.

Inaugurated in 1898, the Parque Municipal is the central plaza of Barranco and serves as a public space to meet friends or family, or just sit around people-watching.

The most recognizable feature of the plaza is the Church of the Blessed Cross, built in 1944.

Known to change colors but for most of the last 10 years has been yellow, here it is dolled up for Señor de los Milagros in 2011.

And 2016.

Capturing the church at night is tricky because of the lights. You can follow the church’s activities on their Facebook page.

The second recognizable feature of the plaza is the municipal library and its pink tower, built in 1922. Inside there isn’t much in the way of books, however.

In the fountain is a statue of “The Danaide,” or one of the 49 Daughters of Danaus who killed their husbands on their wedding night in Greek mythology. Their punishment was to carry jugs of water to fill a basin. But the assignment would never be completed because the basin had holes the women could not see.

This statue is a replica of the Candelabra de Barberini, a 17th century candelabro owned by Pope Urban VIII.

There are two statues featuring putti-style angels among the gardens facing the church.

In front of the library is a stage which is not only fun for children to climb, but also hosts performance art. A few years ago Gianmarco himself performed here.

This carved image of Joseph and Mary is a more recent addition.

The Parque Municipal and Barranco are maybe best known for nightlife. Looking east from the plaza, you’ll see a pedestrian alley. This is Boulevard Sanchez Carrion, a strip of bars and nightclubs home to Bierhaus and La Noche.

Across the opposite street from the plaza is a notable cafe in Tostaduria Bisetti, and some nearby restaurants include El Chinito (chicharron sandwich), Canta Rana (ceviche), Tio Mario (anticuchos), Chifa Union (chifa) and more.

Location and info

The Parque Municipal is located in the heart of Barranco where San Martin Avenue becomes Pedro de Osma Avenue, one block west of the Bulevar Metropolitano station and one block east of the Puente de Suspiros bridge and La Ermita chapel.