Huaca Pucllana

Huaca Pucllana, a restored centuries-old adobe ceremonial temple, has remarkably and defiantly sat right in the heart of Miraflores since 400 C.E. The temple complex includes a Wari (or Huari) cemetery, where four preserved mummies were discovered in 2010, and a small museum housing artifacts, pottery and other excavated relics. It’s especially atmospheric when illuminated at night, best seen from the on-site restaurant, an upscale and highly recommended spot for a memorable dinner.

The old civilizations believed the huacas (adobe pyramids) had their own personalities. Even if you don’t quite believe it, the huacas were built by the incas and their ancestors and are at the center of Peruvian history. They were temples, cemeteries and also where religious offerings were made. You can still find huacas across the country and Huaca Pucllana is the finest example. It’s located in the middle of the Miraflores neighborhood, surrounded by houses and buildings. Visitors can take the tour that happens every hour (in several languages), which tells the huacas’ history, their uses, why they were important and what the archeologists are discovering now. You can have lunch or dinner at the restaurant located inside the Huaca, it’s one of the most traditional places in Lima, with typical Peruvian food and the view has over 1,500 years of history.