A paradise at the end of the cliff
An old windmill give us the welcome. Many years ago this district was known as "Ciudad de los Molinos" (city of windmills), nowadays there is only one, which like a giant of Don Qixote, cares the entrance of this town. It was born at the end of a cliff and its spectacular landscape was the inspirations of writers, poets, singers and artists that left part of his live in this magic place called Barranco.
A district frozen in time
Barranco is located in southern Lima, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is next to Miraflores. It's the most traditional district in Lima, its atmosphere is more peaceful and quiet than any other, for this reason people says it's the escape of the modernity.

Barranco
The district of Barranco was officially established on the 26th of October 1874 and it's the second smallest district of Lima. Originally it was inhabited by fishermen, although many years later it became an exclusive bay of Lima.
In 1881 Barranco was invaded by Chilean troops during the Pacific War. This district was badly damaged. But some years later (at the beginning of the 20th century) like a Fenix Bird It recovered from the war and It became as shelter of writers, poets, singers and artists.
The best moment of Barranco was In the 19th-century, it was a very fashionable beach resort for the aristocracy, and many wealthy limeños used to spend the summer here. They built residences, houses and ranches with European style. Nowadays, Barranco's beaches are popular to practice surfing and others aquatic sports.
Walking through the past
A perfect point to start a tour through Barranco is the Parque Municipal. There is the 'Biblioteca Municipal de Barranco' (Municipal Library of Barranco), built at the end of the 19th century. In former times it was the municipality; Just opposite of the Park is the 'Iglesia de la Santisima Cruz'

Library of Barranco
Only a few metres there is a beautiful walkway to the sea that runs through Barranco, called the Bajada de los Baños. The walkway is bordered on both sides by old and beautiful houses.

Bajada de baños
Barranco has many houses in the colonial and Republican style (called "casonas"), flower-filled parks, streets, beachfront areas. One of the most important museums is "Pedro de Osma", which hosts one of the best collections of colonial art and is itself one of Barranco's best kept examples of late-19th century architectural style. The district includes numerous restaurants, nightclubs, discos, bars and peñas, where one can appreciate Peruvian music shows.

"Casonas"

"Casonas"

"Casonas"

Ayahuasca ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, (during the day is and old House , at night is a pub)

"Casonas"
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"Casonas"
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"Casonas"
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New buildings (borderline between Miraflores and Barranco)
The predilect point to enjoy the lanscape is "El Mirador of Barranco". It's a viewpoint place constructed in 1988 at the edge of the cliff. Since this place is possible to see the most beautiful sunset and sunrise. An ideal place for lovers.
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Walking to "El Mirador"
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"Mirador de Barranco"
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Landscape since "El Mirador" (during the day)
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Landscape (at night)
Love in the bridge
"The person, who makes a wish and then crosses the bridge for the first time without taking a breath, will have his wish fulfilled". It says the tradition.

"The bridge of sighs" - during the day
The legend tell us that a rich man's daughter lived in one of these grand houses, She fell in love with a lowly street sweeper. Her father forbade the union, and she lived out her days as a spinster, waiting at her window for a glimpse of her beloved. Those who walked across the bridge could hear her plaintive sighs. Since that moment the bridge was called "The bridge of sighs" (Puente de los suspiros).

"The bridge of sighs" - at night
The bridge was built in 1876 was inaugurated on the 14th of February as a symbol of Love.More than 130 years this bridge has been a silent witness of many romances, many stories of love has been written on that wood.
Initially "the bridge of sighs" had 44 metres long and 3 metres wide, but The Pacific War and earthquakes damaged the bridge so It had to be repaired several times and was cut down in the middle of the 20th century to its actual length of 31 m.
The bridge inspired a famous song entitled "Bridge of Sighs". It was made by the composer and singer Chabuca Granda. She was a "barranquina" (from Barranco district) and one of the most representatives peruvian women in the world. She wrote many songs called "valses criollos". Her great song was "La flor de la Canela".

On the far side of the bridge is a park with a statue of Barranco's famous singer and composer, Chabuca Granda.
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Chabuca Granda's house
Barranco was home of artist: Mario Vargas Llosa lived in Barranco, nowadays his house is a building, but he still has one flat there; Julio Ramon Riberyo, the best writer of short stories; Alfredo Bryce Echenique, MartÃn Adán, greatest writers, even César Vallejo, considered as one of the most vanguardist of the poetry was attracted by this charming place.

Old house (at night is an exclusive restaurant)
In Barranco you can breath tradition, history, culture and love. Standing up in front of the sea I could understand why writers, poets, and artists chose this district as his favourite place.
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Comment number 1.
At 21st Oct 2010, Natanael wrote:Hi, Miguel.
I've just finish to read your post.
Just great !
Beautiful place, beautiful history, beautiful photos.
You're right. I really can to understand why this place gives us inspiration to think and to write about the sense and sensibility of life.
Great post, man.
Cheers - Natanael - Rio de Janeiro. Brazil.
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Comment number 2.
At 21st Oct 2010, talha wrote:what a beautiful homes and lovely please here is....
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Comment number 3.
At 21st Oct 2010, Ditta wrote:Hi Everybody,
Miguel,
As you show us Barranco it is realy beautiful place. The old 'casonas' houses are very eye appealing and all of them are well maintained, I like them.
Natanael,
I'm glad to see you again :). How are you?
Ditta, Hungary
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Comment number 4.
At 21st Oct 2010, Natanael wrote:Hello, Ditta.
I'm fine. Thanks a lot.
Are you from Budapest?
Tell me more...
Cheers - Natanael - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
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Comment number 5.
At 21st Oct 2010, beatriz wrote:Hi, Miguel: As usual, excellent narrative and beautiful photos. I always associate Perú to Machu Picchu and now I admire "Barranco", its "Casonas", the path walking to "El Mirador" and "El Puente de los suspiros". Thank for the memory of Chabuca Granda, one of the most important latin-american composer and singer. It´s easy to understand why writers, poets, musicians and simple dreamers have chosen that place to live and work. I wish I could go to Lima! Do you have many tourist? When is the best season to go? Thinking about the weather. Thanks a lot for your blog. The best for you. Beatriz.
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Comment number 6.
At 22nd Oct 2010, MIguel Aguirre wrote:Hello Guys!!
Thank you everyone!!
Hi Beattriz, Well you'll always see many tourists in Barranco, but If you ask me for a particular season I'd recommend you Summer, because you'll enjoy a charming sunset, it's really beautiful since "El Mirador".
Thank for your words Beattriz
Miguel
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Comment number 7.
At 22nd Oct 2010, Cess wrote:hi Miguel!
I really love your story
is amazing to discover places so full of magic
I love reading every word and feel like I'm walking in Barranco ...
I have told my friends we have to get to know Peru
I would like to be there someday
greetings
and all the best
*.:。✿*゚â¶Ä™ï¾Ÿï½¥C±ð²õ²õ*.:。✿*゚â¶Ä™ï¾Ÿï½¥
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Comment number 8.
At 22nd Oct 2010, aliozturk wrote:I have very few idea about South America and of course Peru, but thanks to you, Miguel, I am learning something about those parts of the World.
According to your posts, nature of Peru and probably of other Southern Amarica's Countries looks alike Mediterranean(very difficult word to write, but thanks to my dictionary I was able to write) Countries, such as Spain, Italy, Turkey.
It is clear that human beings had very few idea about the shape and the colour of the World untill they got image of it from the outside world. Just like that the nature of inhabitants of places is difficult to spot unless you look it from abroad. From this point of wiev, comparing East Asian Countries, for instance Japan, with Mediterranean countries or countries from Southern America, for instance Peru, it is also ckear that the nature of folks from differnt area of the World obviosly indicate a huge diversiry in the sense of way of life, their art, their emotion, their expression of emotion.
In Turkey, almost all towns has a place, a district look alike places as you, Miguel, described at the above. For exammple im my hometown, it is located on the cost of Black Sea, there is a nice promenade which comes to end a nice pier. Everyone like to wander on this place at any time, but for instance in the summer you can see on there a huge crowd. And you can see words of poem, love which is written on the pier just like places as you described too. But in Japan, I am talkink about especially Northeast Japan, it is difficult to see such this kind of things i.e wandering couples at a nice place, words of love which is writeen on this nice place even though everywhere of Japan is surrounded by sea and nice places. But of course this doesn't mean they don't fall in love, don't love each other, this is just differencies between different folks. They express their emotion as much as other folks. They have two novelist who was awarded by Nobel Price, 19994- Nobel Price Kenzaburo Oe, 1968-Nobel Price Yasunari Kawabata.
Ali Ozturk,
Greeting from Japan.
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Comment number 9.
At 22nd Oct 2010, Ditta wrote:Hello Everybody,
Natanael,
I’ve written you few topic earlier. Maybe you haven’t read it yet :).
Yes, I’m from Budapest, and here the weather turned to cold we’re approaching to the winter. Somtimes in front of november the first snow arrives. We’ll see in this year what will happen :).
Ali Ozturk,
Yes, you’re in right, the different countries have different places and as Miguel’re demonstarting Peru it differs from my country very much. I think the people’s habit is various and of course the nature givens too. For example we don’t have seaside but the Danube flows through in Budapest and in the Buda side there’re some low hills from where the view to Danube’s stupendous. Or I’ve already mentioned that we don’t have Love Park but certainly there’re enamour couples here as well :) who usually go to the Buda Castle to look at sunset or to the Margaret Island what’s a small island whit lots of promenades borderd trees and pews in the Danube.
And the buildings’re several also, e.g. Budapest was built in eclecticism style and there aren’t any ’casonas’ here.
So Miguel,
Thanks for showing these houses and places, and I have a question: Does the ’casonas’ mean the style or the houses in style?
Thanks and all the best,
Ditta, Hungary, Budapest
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Comment number 10.
At 22nd Oct 2010, Ilya Kharitonov wrote:Hi, Miguel!
I've just finished reading of your post, and fell in love with these places. I really hope, that it will be possible for me to visit Baranco some day. It will be nice to see a sunset from "Mirador de Barranco" with my own eyes, I think. In addition, it's very cold in Russia now, so this idea seems very attractive.
Thanks for your post,
Ilya, Russia.
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Comment number 11.
At 22nd Oct 2010, MIguel Aguirre wrote:Hi guys!!
CEss,
Thank you so much, you are from Mexico, it's a lovely country too, I hope you can visit us soon. You won't regret
Aliozturk,
I like your description about your country. While in your country is Day, we are at night, I'd like to known someday Japan
Ditta,
In Lima we have many "casonas", there are located in differents districts, that Style we inherited from other cultures, Spain, France, Italy.. As I said it's a travel to the past =)
Ilya
You're invited to our country, you could see very old houses, beaches, parks, gardens, museums and lovely sunsets! and, of course, friendly people =)
Best regards
MIguel
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Comment number 12.
At 22nd Oct 2010, talha wrote:hi Mrs ali öztürk ı have a guetion for you
are you or were you an english teacher in turkey?I like the way you write.just little hard level and also attractive too.
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Comment number 13.
At 23rd Oct 2010, Pary wrote:Hi Miguel , WOW what a lovely and breathtaking district is Barranco! And how lucky are people who lives there . I 'm sure it 's impossible for most people to live in a romantic place like this !It remind me many luxurious villas in Iran north beach line in Gilan and Mazandaran provinces . The point is the houses has been keeping in a good condition after over two century ! In my country recently most old houses has been changed to museums . And in some cases to traditional hotels specially in Yazd city in central Iran !
Again you did a great Job and thank you for brilliant shots ( I watched them again and again and again )!
Have a nice weekend and bye
Pary from Iran
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Comment number 14.
At 23rd Oct 2010, Mahjabeen wrote:Hi Miguel,
The place is lovely and I've enjoyed the virtual trip with you through Lima and now Barranco. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful pics. I can understand why tourists loves to visit this place and why the place inspires poets, writers and artists so much as we're doing :).
Have a nice weekend!!!
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Comment number 15.
At 23rd Oct 2010, Marcello wrote:Hi Miguel
Thank you for sharing these stunning photograps with us.
It's seems to be a very quiet and intriguing location Barranco, just the right sort of place where to get inspiration for everything.
Well done
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Comment number 16.
At 24th Oct 2010, Tereza wrote:Hi Miguel,
I have been interested in Peru for a long time, but now I love it more than ever before. I really want to visit your country. I need a sponsor! :-)
Tereza (Czech republic)
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Comment number 17.
At 25th Oct 2010, Guzin Tumer wrote:neatly narration, informative, interesting...Thank you very much! :)))
I know your country is very popular in Turkiye as well most countries.
After your blogging, It is much more popular among your readers :)) The reputation of Machu Picchu was more than Peru but you made me say " I wish I had gone to Lima" :))
Dear Miguel,
Could you tell us the relationship of family, men-women,neigbourhood ...
Are young people motivated to be married by their families?
How is the reaction of the public the ones having a baby without being married? If there is a reaction, is it different for women and men?
Thank you...
Guzin from Turkiye
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Comment number 18.
At 26th Oct 2010, aliozturk wrote:Miguel,
I couldn't understand which country did you wanted to say when you wrote 'your country'. Of course, my country is Turkey. I currently live in Japan. But it is very difficul to say 'Japan is my country'. I just love it. Turkish say ' love or leave'. I prefer to love.
Talha;
Yes , my English is not very good. I think in Turkish and write in English and this make my expression incomprehensible. I use my dictionary a lot when I'm writing. This is a proof that I have just been translating what I think. I need to read more. Frankly I try to do it as much as I can do but I have no much time. English is not only language which I have to study. I had never real english teacher in Turkey. So, this is another reason why my English is a disaster. Meanwhile, I have an American teacher at hear, but he couldn't make any change, because I am very bed student. Your English teacher?
Sory everyone if I meke trouble whit my bed english, but I know very well that if you fear to make a mistake you never learn any language.
Ladies and gentleman, just keep to write.
Sincerely.
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Comment number 19.
At 26th Oct 2010, jomari wrote:Hi everybody,
Hello Miguel, only to let you know i'm so glad to read your posts, I'm peruvian too, from Lima, but now living in Madrid from 2006 with my kids and husband. I can only congratulate for your work...is great to see photos of my city, i'm so homesick¡¡¡¡I remember being in each of the places, by the way..when did you learn English? you are very good at writing, I studied first in the school, next in an Institute in Arequipa, and then in Lima.
I wish you all the best.
I'm looking forward for your next post. Bye.
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Comment number 20.
At 26th Oct 2010, beto wrote:Hi Miguel
Well done, I`m falling in love with his country, I`m planning to go there next summer.
Roberto Sao Paulo Brazil
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