Barranco Municipality Begins Restoration of Historic Chapel

Diego Alarcón

By Diego Alarcón

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), through the Foreign Trade and Tourism Investment Executive Unit (UICET), together with the Municipality of Barranco, have begun the comprehensive restoration of Barranco’s historic Chapel. The project will require an investment of over S/12 million and will benefit the more than 332,000 national and international tourists who visit this area of ​​the capital each year.

The ceremony marking the start of the restoration work was presided over by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Berthin Gómez Vela, and the Mayor of Barranco, Jessica Vargas. Also in attendance were the Auxiliary Bishop of Lima and Delegate In Tottum of the Archdiocese of Lima, Monsignor Guillermo Elías Millares; the Executive Director of UICET, Wilman Heredia; and the Parish Priest of Barranco, Monsignor Pedro Hidalgo Díaz. In addition to local authorities, officials, business owners, tourism-related associations, and district residents.

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism highlighted the historical and touristic value of the building, describing it not only as a historic structure but also as an emblem of the founding of Barranco, a place of devotion, and a heritage landmark of Lima’s identity.

Minister Gómez emphasized that “None of these achievements would be possible without collaborative work. Therefore, I would like to thank the Municipality of Barranco and the mayor for their coordination and ongoing commitment. To the Archdiocese of Lima, for their trust and guidance in respecting the sacred nature of this site. And to all of you, residents and visitors, for valuing and caring for what belongs to everyone.”

The work includes the complete restoration of roofs, walls, towers, and domes; the creation of a multipurpose space with restrooms; and the conversion of the former sacristy into offices. The project includes the installation of a ramp to ensure accessibility for everyone, and the complete restoration of the building’s altars, facades, and interior and exterior paintings. In addition, the floors will be renovated, and new wooden doors and windows will be installed where needed.

This project is part of the “Improvement and Installation of Public Tourist Services on the Discovering Barranco Tourist Route” program, which aims to rescue and enhance the district’s tourist heritage.

“With the start of this project, we confirm that investing in heritage is investing in the future. We will continue working to ensure that tourism is an engine of sustainable development, respecting our history and generating well-being for all Peruvians,” concluded Minister Gómez.

The restoration will help consolidate Barranco as one of the country’s leading cultural and urban destinations and will strengthen the tourist route that includes the Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs, and other representative sites in the district.

It is worth noting that the Barranco Chapel, built around the mid-18th century, is the founding symbol of the district, officially established on October 26, 1874, during the government of Manuel Pardo y Lavalle. Its eclectic style, combining Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic features, makes it one of Lima’s major heritage landmarks. Declared a Historical Monument in 1955, it constitutes a cultural legacy of enormous importance for Lima and Peru.