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Barranco District

District of Lima, Peru

Field	Value
name	Barranco
settlement_type	District
image_skyline	Barranco District Lima Peru.jpg
image_caption	View under the Bridge of Sighs
image_flag	Bandera_de_Barranco.png
image_shield	Escudo_de_Barranco.jpg
image_map	Map of Lima highlighting Barranco.PNG
mapsize	frameless
map_caption	Location in Lima Province
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name
subdivision_type1	Department
subdivision_name1	Lima
subdivision_type2	Province
subdivision_name2	Lima
parts_type	Subdivisions
parts_style	para
established_title	Founded
established_date	26 October 1874
seat_type	Capital
leader_title	Mayor
leader_name	Jessica Vargas
unit_pref	Metric
area_total_km2	3.33
population_footnotes
population_total	37,525
population_as_of	2023
population_density_km2	auto
timezone1	PET
utc_offset1	-5
blank_name_sec1	UBIGEO
blank_info_sec1	150104
website	munibarranco.gob.pe
module	{{Infobox designation list
embed	yes
designation1	PCN
designation1_offname	Zona Monumental de Barrnaco
designation1_type	Immobable tangible
designation1_date
designation1_free1name	Legal basis
designation1_free1value	R.S. Nº 2900-72-ED}}

Barranco is a district of Lima, Peru. A seaside district of the city, it is considered a bohemian and artistic centre, being the home and working place of many of Peru's leading artists, musicians, designers and photographers. Its beaches are among the most popular within the worldwide surfing community, and a marina completed in 2008 provides state-of-the-art services for its yacht club.

The Monumental Zone of Barranco () is the designation under which most of the district is administered under a special regime that protects the monumental heritage located in the district. The area, alongside its monuments, forms part of the cultural heritage of Peru.

Etymology

The name Barranco is Spanish for "ravine". Barranco has two ravines; one in the north where Armendariz Avenue is situated between Miraflores District and Barranco, and one near the central part, the Bajada de los Baños.

History

San José de Surco was founded on 26 October 1874, with the Hermitage of Barranco chosen as its capital. The hermitage's location is traditionally considered the origin of the district, with an 18th-century legend claiming that two Indian fishermen who had become lost at sea managed to find their way to the shore through a light cast by a cross located on the site.

In the 19th century, it was a very fashionable beach resort for the local upper-class (also known as the aristocracy), alongside neighbouring Chorrillos.

During the 2010s and 2020s, many high rises and other projects began to be built in Barranco as a result of urban renewal, replacing a number of the district's traditional buildings.

Politics

Barranco is under the jurisdiction of its own district municipality, as well as that of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima.

List of mayors

Since 2023, the incumbent mayor is Jessica Vargas.

№	Mayor	Party	Term	Begin
1	Pedro Bustamante y García
2	Francisco García Monterroso
3	Benito Bregante
4	Alberto Lajon
5	Baldomero Prado de Zela (interim)		?	?
6	José Tiravanti (interim)		?	?
7	Manuel Checa (interim)		?	?
8	Juan Francisco Pazos Monasis
9	José Cornejo
10	Pedro Elguera
11	Pedro Solari
12	Pedro Swayne – José Mendoza
13	Pedro Heraud
14	Juan Francisco Pazos Varela
15	Aurelio Souza
16
17	Catalina Miranda
18	Pedro de Osma Gildemeister
19	Cesar Morelli
20	Enrique de las Casas
21	Pedro Martinto
22
23	César Contreras
24	Enrique A. Coloma
25	Tomás A. Valeza
26	Germán Noriega del Valle
27	Manuel Montero Bernales
28	Javier Lanfranco
29	Luís Brambilla Tosso
30	Leopoldo Luna Ferrecio
31	Alfonso Ballón Elguera
32	Jorge Souza Miranda, Jr
33	Estuardo Núñez Hague
34	Manuel Campodónico Quevedo
35	Fernando Giuffa Fontanes
36	Jorge Rocha Arnao	AP–DC
37	Héctor Vega León	AP–DC
38	Tomas Paso Valles
39	Carlos Varela Morales
40	Renato Lectora Ginetti
41	Emilio Gordillo Angulo
42	Miguel Lora Arbulú
43	Nicodemes Montalván Prado	Acción Popular
44	Jorge del Castillo Gálvez	APRA
45	Danilo Delgado Bedoya
46	Pedro Allemant Centeno	APRA
47	Renato Lectora Ginetti	FREDEMO
48	Carlos Gálvez Martínez	OBRAS
49	Mario Zolezzi
50	Francisco Silva Checa	Somos Lima
51	Josefina Estrada de Capriata	Somos Perú
52		Unidad Nacional
53		Restauración Nacional
54		PPC
55		APP
56		Siempre Unidos
57		Renovación Popular		Incumbent

Subdivisions

The district's central area is a designated Monumental Zone since 1972.

Barranco is the site of a lone populated centre that is coterminous with the district:

Code	Name	Type	Population (total)	Housing (total)
0001	Barranco	Chala	34,378 (2017)	13,509 (2017)

Twin cities

As of 2025, Barranco is twinned with the following places:

United States Oakland County, Michigan
Spain Jun, Granada

Geography

Climate

The cliffs of Chorrillos shield Barranco from colder and more humid winds coming from the South. As a result, Barranco has a micro-climate that is warmer and drier than many of the other districts of Lima, which are generally more humid, especially between May and October.

Culture

Landmarks

The Monumental Zone of Barranco is the designation under which a large part of the district has been administered since 1972, in which a number of buildings have been granted UNESCO's blue shield since 2024. Barranco has many houses in the colonial and Republican style (called "casonas"), flower-filled parks and streets, and appealing beachfront areas. A number of high-rise buildings have been constructed in areas surrounding the district's historic quarter, near the district's limits with Miraflores and Santiago de Surco.

Name	Location	Notes	Photo
Alameda Sáenz Peña	Tree-lined avenue surrounded by a number of 19th-century and early to mid-20th century buildings. An obelisk dedicated to José de San Martín sits at its intersection with San Martín Avenue, and a statue of Mafalda is found at its end near a coastal viewpoint. It is named after Argentine politician Roque Sáenz Peña, who fought for Peru during the War of the Pacific.	[[File:AVENIDA SÁENZ PEÑA CUADRA 3.jpg	centre	150px]]
Avenida Almirante Miguel Grau	Named after Peruvian admiral Miguel Grau, it serves as one of the district's main avenues, connecting it with Miraflores and passing through its central park and merging with Francisco Bolognesi Avenue two blocks to the park's south.	[[File:2017 Lima - Fachadas en el 330 Avenida Almirante Grau, Distrito de Barranco.jpg	centre	150px]]
Avenida Pedro de Osma	One of the main avenues of the district. It begins next to Municipal Park and continues into Chorrillos District. A transit line of the former cable car system crosses its western side.	[[File:AVENIDA_PEDRO_DE_OSMA_CUADRA_1-2.jpg	centre	150px]]
	Pedestrian promenade that connects the central part of the district with a footpath that descends towards a beach on the other side of the coast's highway.	[[File:Barranco District Lima Peru.jpg	centre	150px]]
Biblioteca Municipal Manuel Beingolea	Municipal Park	Manuel Beingolea Municipal Library was inaugurated on October 1, 1922, under the mayoralty of Enrique de las Casas and during the presidency of Augusto B. Leguía. It was initially inaugurated on the left part of its current premises, moving to Fraternity Park in 1958 and moving to its current building in 1966, forming part of the cultural heritage of Peru. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.	[[File:Lima, Peru - Library of Barranco.jpg	centre	150px]]
Casa Dasso	Av. Sáenz Peña	Private residence dating back to the early 20th century. It is an integral part of Sáenz Peña Avenue's monumental axis.	[[File:Av. Saenz Peña, Barranco 02.jpg	centre	150px]]
Casa De la Puente Wiese	Alameda Sáenz Peña	Built between 1915 and 1920 in an eclectic style as a residence. It also features neo-Moorish and neo-Gothic ornaments in its façade. It currently functions as a contemporary art gallery. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.
Casa Ferrand Zavala	Jirón Cajamarca	Private residence built in 1911 using adobe and wood. It has since been preserved as a representative building of its time period, and was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.
Casa Miró Quesada	Al. Sáenz Peña & Av. San Martín	The building dates back to 1914, and was designed by French architect Claude Sahut. It currently operates as the Hotel B, a boutique hotel. It is an integral part of Sáenz Peña Avenue's monumental axis, giving the avenue its historic character. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.	[[File:Av. Saenz Peña, Barranco 12.jpg	centre	150px]]
Casa Piselli	Jr. 28 de Julio & Melgar	Corner building dating back to 1923, built using adobe and wood. It is currently used by García Bustamante, a law firm after which it is also named. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.
Casa República	Av. Sáenz Peña 208	Built in 1915 and designed by architect , with Moorish and Art Nouveau influences. It was restored in 2009, and currently functions as a hotel and restaurant. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.	[[File:Barranco Bianchi 2.jpg	centre	150px]]
Casa Rosell-Ríos	Av. Grau 426-428-430	Private residence built between 1909 and 1912 as a summer home for the family of the same name and designed by French architect H. Ratouin (who was possibly assisted by Hugo Behr and Francisco Alva).	[[File:2017 Lima - Fachada de la Casa Rosell-Ríos.jpg	centre	150px]]
Casa Solari de Checa	Av. Sáenz Peña 136 & Av. San Martín	Private residence commissioned by María Luisa Solari de Checa as her residence and built by Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski in a Republican style. It was donated to Spain in the 1920s, whose government has since used the building as its ambassadorial residence.	[[File:Embajada de España, Barranco Lima.jpg	centre	150px]]
Casa Zegarra	Jirón Martínez de Pinillos & Pasaje Tacna	Building designed by Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski dating back to 1923, combining neo-classical, Victorian and Art Nouveau styles. Originally built as a residence, it currently houses a boutique hotel. It was given UNESCO's blue shield in 2025.
Iglesia La Ermita de Barranco	Plazuela Chabuca Granda	Catholic church building that once served as the district's capital and cathedral, next to the Bridge of Sighs, and has been closed since 1974 due to the damages caused by that year's earthquake.	[[File:La Iglesia Ermita (13669509683).jpg	centre	150px]]
Mirador Catalina Recavarren	Bajada de los Baños	Scenic viewpoint located at the end of La Ermita street. It was built in late 1898 under the administration of Mayor Pedro Allemant Centeno (1896–1899). It is immediately surrounded by traditional buildings, which house restaurants and bed and breakfast establishments.	[[File:Construction in Barranco, Lima, Peru.jpg	centre	150px]]
Municipalidad de Barranco	Municipal park	Administrative headquarters of the district's municipal government. A mural dedicated to singer Chabuca Granda is located to its side, which faces the road that descends toward the Bridge of Sighs.	[[File:Municipalidad de Barranco, Lima, Perú.jpg	centre	150px]]
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Lima	Av. Grau 511	Art museum dedicated to contemporary art designed by Peruvian architect Frederick Cooper Llosa, and built on land donated by the Municipality. It is run as a private non-profit organization.	[[File:Museo de Arte Contemporáneo en Lima.jpg	centre	150px]]
	Av. Pedro de Osma 421	The former residence of Pedro and Angélica de Osma Gildemeister, it currently functions as a museum with a permanente Viceregal collection in display. It received UNESCO's blue shield in 2024.	[[File:Museo Pedro de Osma - fachada.jpg	centre	150px]]
Parque Municipal de Barranco	The district's central park was inaugurated on February 13, 1898, by then mayor Pedro Solari. A fountain with a naiad's sculpture was installed in 1906, and the park was completely remodelled in 1943, giving the public space its current appearance. The district's municipal library, municipal building, and church all surround the park.	[[File:Praça de Armas de Barranco, Lima - Peru - panoramio.jpg	centre	150px]]
Parroquia La Santísima Cruz	Municipal Park	The damage suffered by the Hermitage of Barranco due to the an earthquake led to a request reaching the city's archbishop, requesting his authorisation to build a new church. This was granted in 1942, with construction works starting in 1944 before being ultimately consecrated by Juan Landázuri Ricketts on June 1, 1963, in a ceremony attended by the church's patrons, siblings Pedro and Angélica de Osma Gildemeister.	[[File:Parque municipal de Barranco. Iglesia de la Santa Cruz.jpg	centre	150px]]
Plazuela Chabuca Granda	Public space named after Chabuca Granda, a 20th-century singer whose works have since been designated part of the Cultural heritage of Peru. It is connected to the other side of the Bajada de los Bajos by the Bridge of Sighs. It houses the district's Hermitage Church, and a monument to Granda and José Antonio de Lavalle y García, a friend of her father who inspired a song named after him. Granda also wrote a song dedicated to the bridge, among other works.	[[File:Monumento a Chabuca Granda.jpg	centre	150px]]
Puente de los Suspiros	Bajada de los Baños	The Bridge of Sighs receives its name from its the popular tradition that indicated the place as a meeting point for romanctic couples. It dates back to 1876, having been rebuilt after its destruction by Chilean troops in 1881, who occupied the area during the War of the Pacific.	[[File:PUENTE DE LOS SUSPIROS.jpg	centre	150px]]

It addition to the landmarks above, Barranco also has a number of beaches (Los Yuyos, Las Cascadas, Los Pavos, Barranquito, and Las Sombrillas). A marina opened in 2008.

Transport

The district's Pedro de Osma Avenue is served by a scenic tramway route, once part of the broader system that once serviced the whole city and its surroundings. Francisco Bolognesi Avenue is served by a route of the Metropolitano bus system.

Notable people

Maria Isabel Sanchez-Concha (1889–1977), pioneer film maker.

References

"Estadística Poblacional - Ministerio de Salud del Perú".
Aramayo Gaona, Alejandra. (2016-10-27). "Moción de saludo".
"Historia de Barranco".
Sánchez Campos, Elvis. (2004). "Estudio de renovación urbana de atractivos turísticos en el distrito de Barranco". [[National University of Engineering.
(2018). "Directorio Nacional de Centros Poblados. Censos Nacionales 2017: XII de Población, VII de Vivienda y III de Comunidades Indígenas". [[Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática]].
(2025-08-05). "Barranco: Escudo Azul será entregado a siete patrimonios culturales del distrito". [[El Comercio (Peru).
(2016). "Plan Distrital de Seguridad Ciudadana del Distrito de Barranco". Municipalidad de Barranco.
(2025-08-01). "Inmuebles con Escudo Azul del Patrimonio Barranquino". Municipalidad Distrital de Barranco.
(2025-08-01). "Galería Lucía de la Puente – Casa De la Puente Wiese". Municipalidad Distrital de Barranco.
(2009-07-29). "Casa Rosell-Ríos. Barranco. Casa Cor Perú 2009.". Bitácora Arquitectura Peruana.
Gutiérrez Baella, Danilo Fernando. "Casa Rossell Ríos: Filatelia".
Quiroz Galvan, Diana Mery. (2019-05-23). ""La ruta Malachowski" en Miraflores y Barranco". [[El Comercio (Peru).
Raffo, Francesca. (2022-02-12). "Alcalde de Barranco: "Propusimos [restaurar la ermita] pero no hubo respuesta"". [[El Comercio (Peru).
Cayetano, José. (2023-06-07). "Barranco: siete inmuebles de la Zona monumental presentan graves daños". [[El Comercio (Peru).
Wulfhart, Nell McShane. (26 October 2017). "The Most Cosmopolitan Neighborhood in Lima". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
"Museo de Arte Contemporáneo—Lima (MAC) Review – Lima Peru – Sights". [[Fodor's Travel]].
Samuels, A. J.. "The Best Contemporary Art Galleries In Lima".
Quispe, Harold. (2024-04-17). "Museo Pedro de Osma recibirá reconocimiento de la Unesco por su valor histórico". [[RPP Noticias]].
Reaño Torres, Alex. (2025-07-31). "Parque Municipal De Barranco".
(2014-10-14). "El Puente de los Suspiros en el corazón de Barranco". Peru.com.
(2010-12-30). "Cebiche y bohemia". [[El País]].
(2025-03-10). "Descubre las 5 playas más populares de la Costa Verde en Miraflores y Barranco". [[El Comercio (Peru).
(2015-01-24). "Conoce la situación de algunas playas de Lima y Callao". [[TV Perú]].
"Maria Isabel Sánchez Concha Aramburú – Women Film Pioneers Project".

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