Introducation of Callao
Introducation of Callao
Callao (Spanish: El Callao) is the largest and most important port in Peru. The city is located in the Constitutional Province of Callao, which is the only province of the Callao Region. It is located west of Lima, the country’s capital. Both cities form the Lima and Callao Metropolitan Area, a large metropolis that concentrates almost one-third of Peru’s population.
Peru’s foremost port, Callao has long enjoyed historical and commercial importance, having been founded in 1537, originally as a port of embarkation for merchandise to be shipped to Spain. Located 14 km from downtown Lima, Callao still features venerable wooden colonial mansions lined with long and elaborately carved balconies. Visitors can take in sights such as the Plaza Galvez and Plaza Grau squares and the Iglesia Matriz church.
At the end of Saenz Pena Avenue stands the Real Felipe fortress, a vast construction dating back to 1747, when it was built to defend the port from pirates such as Drake, who sacked the city in the sixteenth century. The Real Felipe also played an important role in Peru’s war of independence. One can also visit Chucuito, a small fishermen’s cove lined with Gothic and neo-Renaissance houses, as well as typical wooden homes painted in bright colors nearby. (more…)