The Museo Naval del Peru in Lima’s port district of Callao is a museum showcasing the military history of the Peruvian Navy.

Along with the Real Felipe Fortress less than a block away, the Naval Museum of Peru is one of Peru’s most underrated museums. It is also a welcome escape from the religious art and pre-Columbian artifacts which dominate Peru’s museum scene. For history and military buffs, the Real Felipe Fortress and Peruvian Navy Museum would make a great educational day. Both are located at the entrance to La Punta del Callao, one of my top 10 recommended tourist activities in Lima.

Any talk of Peru’s naval history starts with Miguel Grau, Peru’s most revered hero who terrorized the Chilean navy during the War of the Pacific. His name is plastered all over Peru’s cities, plazas and monuments.

This is the Battle of Angamos, in which two Chilean ships finally surrounded and killed Grau in battle.

In addition to military history, the museum features exhibits on the sea and marine life. Above are topographical models of El Fronton and San Lorenzo islands off the coast of Callao.

The museum’s history does not start with the arrival of the Spanish, but the fishing vessels of Peru’s indigenous civilizations.

Below are models of colonial ships and even a cannon.

Rivaling Miguel Grau in the Peruvian navy’s history is the Battle of Callao, in which Peruvians repelled an invasion by the Spanish in the Chincha Islands War. This battle is probably the one held in highest esteem among Peruvians, and you may recognize the date of May 2 (Dos de Mayo).

This gallery shows off Peru’s submarines.

Peru’s navy is also in charge of securing the countries rivers, and that means major operations in the Amazon jungle patrolling the tributaries of the Amazon River from a base in Iquitos.

In addition to the rivers of the jungle, Peru’s navy patrols Lake Titicaca in Puno.

The Antarctica exhibit came as a surprise to me. Peru has territorial claims over the island and maintains a research site, the Machu Picchu Base, at the tip of the peninsula.

In addition to all the cannons, there is an exhibition of small arms.

And I couldn’t resist posting this old diver’s helmet next to the special-forces uniform for soldiers carrying out operations in the Amazon jungle.

Location and info

Museo Naval del Peru
Jorge Chavez 123, Callao (next to Plaza Grau)
Hours: Tuesdays through Sundays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Admission: 3 soles ($1)

The official website is down. Find more info at Peruvian Navy website.

Pictures

 

For high-res slideshow viewing, see the Peruvian Navy Museum album on the Lima City of Kings Facebook page.

5 comments

  1. I found a Miguel Grau Seminario Bronze Medallion it also say’s Gran Almirante Del Peru on the front and on the back it has the Peru Navy insignia and on top it say’s Marina De Guerra Del Peru on it can you tell me anything about I found it metal detecting on the beach. Thank you for your time

  2. I am a former crewmen from the USS Washoe County LST 1165. I am trying to located her ship’s bell. I understand that she was transferred to the Peruvian Navy and renamed the BAP Callao DT 73. Is BAP Callao still in commission in your navy? When she was transferred did she still have the USS Washoe County LST 1165 ship’s bell mounted on the ships forecastle? If she isn’t in commission any longer in your navy, would you know where the ship’s bell would be? Ever year the USS Washoe County LST 1165 Association has a reunion every year and that is the number one question that my shipmates inquire about. Where is the ship’s bell? I hope you may be able to help me out. Thanks in advance and may you have fair winds and following seas.

  3. Do you have any information about when the cruiser Almirante Grau (ex-De Zeven Provincien) will be open to visitors? The latest information I can find is that she was in Callao being converted into a museum ship.

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