History of Pirua

Like most of northern Peru, the territory of Piura had been inhabited by their autochthonous group of natives called tallanes (caribean origin) and yungas. These lived without an organization or single leader to rule until the Mochicas eventually took control and the mixture of these evolved into the Vicus Culure. Centuries later, Piura came under the rule of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, at least for around 40 years and before the Spanish arrived.

With the arrival of the Spanish in 1532, the mestizo and creole culture of actual Piura were born. This mestizo culture includes influences from Spanish Extremadura and Andalucia, African influence due to the arrival of slaves from Madagascar (Malgache slaves), the Chinese coolies that migrated from Canton to work the rice fields and replace the slaves; and also Roma gypsies who came as pirates looking for pearls or as incongite Spanish horsemen.

Colonial legacy

Piura served as the first main port through which the Inca gold the Spaniards had gathered was shipped back to Spain. Already in 1534, Sebastian de Belalcazar, one of Pizarro’s men, left Piura to conquer the Inca bastion in Quito.

As the most ancient colonial city in Peru, its location was changed three times before it was established on its present location. The cathedral of Piura was built in 1588. The altar is covered in gold leaf and has a painting of Ignacio Merino, a renowned Peruvian artist.