Presidential Palace of Peru

Presidential Palace of Peru

Introduction

The Presidential Palace of Peru is located between the Plaza de Armas and the Rímac River. After Pizarro, successive viceroys of the Spanish king resided here. In the second half of the 19th century, the building underwent extensive decoration and became extraordinarily luxurious.

Originally, the building was entirely in the Spanish Castilian style: two large courtyards for infantry and cavalry. A large garden where Pizarro meticulously managed various plants and flowers brought from the Iberian Peninsula. Among them was a fig tree, which by the time it reached Pizarro, was almost just a trunk. Pizarro planted it, and it remarkably survived, living through nearly five centuries to this day—an astonishing feat.

The palace was later rebuilt, and the reconstructed palace features spacious halls. At the entrance of each hall stands a presidential guard soldier on duty. The design of these reconstructed buildings was provided by architect Yaša Malashovsky, completely altering the Spanish-style architecture. The new building is in the French Baroque style, with a large balcony at each end on the side facing the plaza. On important holidays or celebrations, the president watches the festivities in the Plaza de Armas from the balcony near the Municipal Palace and addresses the public.

Inside the palace halls, the presidential guard performs a change of guard ceremony at 12:30 pm every day, which is quite imposing.

Hall of the Golden Throne (Golden Hall). The center of the hall is where the cabinet ministers take their oaths. The furniture and decor in the hall are almost entirely from the Louis XIV period, including four large ornamental chandeliers. Hall of Peace. Originally the grand dining room of the presidential palace. It earned its name because the Republic of El Salvador and the Republic of Honduras signed a peace treaty here. This hall is truly a grand space, occupying the entire eastern wing of the presidential palace. At the center of the hall’s ceiling hangs a massive Bohemian crystal chandelier, along with six slightly smaller chandeliers and four large crystal candlesticks. The tables and chairs in the hall are in the Spanish Revival style. Oval Hall. This hall displays furniture in the style of Louis XIV, as well as Eastern, especially Chinese, porcelain—including two giant porcelain vases and six large porcelain flowerpots.

Lima, Peru