Perou Decouverte
Perou Decouverte
Just 32 km southeast of Chiclayo, in the Lambayeque region, stands Zaña – a colonial city frozen in time, classified as a Cultural Heritage of the Nation and recognized by UNESCO as a "Site of Memory of Slavery and African Cultural Heritage".
Foundation: November 29, 1563 (Santiago de Miraflores de Zaña)
Distance from Chiclayo: 32 km / 45-50 minutes
Altitude: 58 meters
Status: Cultural Heritage of the Nation + UNESCO Site
Special Feature: Epicenter of Afro-Peruvian culture
Recommended Visit: Full half-day
Unlike "ghost towns", Zaña is today an inhabited village with approximately 3,761 inhabitants in its historic center, and more than 17,500 inhabitants in the entire district. The ruins are not mere archaeological remains, but the daily living environment of a community proud of its heritage that continues to grow and develop.
The site is classified as a "Living Repository of Afro-Peruvian Collective Memory" by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, a unique testimony to cultural resilience and collective memory.
The history of Zaña reads like an epic novel: glorious foundation, extraordinary prosperity, successive tragedies, and cultural renaissance. This unique chronology makes Zaña an exceptional case study of Peruvian colonial history.
The site was occupied by the Saña people, descendants of the Mochica Culture. They lived mainly on the slopes of Cerro Corbacho, an archaeological site now threatened by illegal excavations.
The name "Zaña" comes from colonial Mochica Çañap, testifying to the ancient human occupation in this fertile valley.
In 1604, chronicler Reginaldo de Lizárraga describes Zaña as "abundantísimo... un pueblo de españoles de no poca contratación", highlighting its commercial importance.
At the beginning of the 17th century, Vázquez de Espinosa notes the presence of a cathedral, three convents (Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians), and a hospital – clear signs of prosperity.
In the early 1900s, Zaña experiences a demographic renewal with the arrival of Japanese and Chinese immigrants to work on the sugar haciendas. Many settle permanently, opening bodegas and pulperías.
2015: The Peruvian Ministry of Culture classifies Zaña as "Living Repository of Afro-Peruvian Collective Memory" (R.M. N° 187-2015-MC)
2017: UNESCO recognizes Zaña as "Site of Memory of Slavery and African Cultural Heritage"
Current status: Cultural Heritage of the Nation with 4 preserved churches out of the original 7
The ruins of Zaña represent an exceptional testimony of Peruvian colonial architecture. Despite the destruction, four out of seven churches survive, offering a unique panorama of Baroque and Gothic styles in northern Peru.
Of the 7 original Baroque churches of Zaña, 4 have resisted invasions and floods:
Lost churches: Santo Domingo, San Juan de Dios, La Compañía de Jesús
Despite the destruction, the Iglesia Matriz (main church) retains its spectacular Baroque frontispiece. The adobe facade still presents decorative elements:
The La Merced church offers the most poignant testimony of the destruction. Only the bases of the walls and some arches remain, allowing us to understand the monumental scale of colonial constructions.
The buildings of Zaña perfectly illustrate the advanced adobe construction techniques developed during the viceroyalty:
• Massive walls: Up to 1.8 m thick to resist earthquakes
• Deep foundations: System of algarrobo wood pilings
• Horizontal tie-beams: Quinual beams integrated into walls
• Protective coatings: Mixture of mud, straw and lime (tapia)
• Decoration: Worked lime stucco, natural pigments
"The ruins of Zaña are not dead stones, but pages of history waiting to be read, where each collapsed arch tells an epic, each cracked wall whispers a colonial memory."
Beyond its colonial stones, Zaña lives and breathes to the rhythm of Afro-Peruvian culture. Recognized by UNESCO as a site of memory of slavery, Zaña is today the living epicenter for preserving and transmitting this unique heritage.
2015: The Peruvian Ministry of Culture declares Zaña "Living Repository of Afro-Peruvian Collective Memory" (Ministerial Resolution N° 187-2015-MC)
2017: UNESCO includes Zaña in the "Site of Memory of Slavery and African Cultural Heritage" program
Significance: Official recognition of Zaña as a living repository of the historical and artistic memory of Afro-Peruvian presence in Peru.
📍 Exact address: Calle Independencia 645, Zaña
🕒 Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🎫 Rates:
• Adults: S/. 5.00
• Students (school): S/. 3.00
📞 Contact:
Phone: (074) 431-042
Email: museoafroperuano@yahoo.es
📚 Main collections:
• Historical photographs of the Afro-Peruvian community
• Traditional musical instruments (cajón, quijada de burro)
• Everyday objects from colonial and post-slavery era
• Original documents on slavery in Peru
• Temporary exhibitions on living Afro-Peruvian traditions
💡 Good to know: First community Afro-Peruvian museum in Peru, declared "Site of Memory of Slavery" by UNESCO in 2017. Important contribution to the preservation of Afro-Peruvian cultural heritage.
Discover other fascinating museums in northern Peru and Chiclayo,
from archaeological treasures to living cultural traditions.
Brüning Museum • Royal Tombs • National Museum of Sicán
April 27: Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo - Patron saint of the village, processions and traditional dances
May 15: San Isidro Labrador - Patron saint of farmers, harvest celebrations with African influences
November 29: Fundación de Zaña - Main village festival, historical reenactments, music and gastronomy
December: Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen - Characteristic religious syncretism
June 4: Día de la Cultura Afroperuana - Special celebrations, cultural workshops, artistic presentations
The main square of Zaña has been redesigned to honor Afro-Peruvian heritage:
"In Zaña, each cajón beat tells a story of resistance, each dance step celebrates freedom, and each recipe transmits the memory of ancestors. Here, Afro-Peruvian culture is not a memory, but a vibrant reality shaping the future."
A visit to Zaña is like a journey through time, blending archaeological exploration, cultural discovery, and authentic experiences. Here's the ideal program to discover all the treasures of this historic city.
More than a museum, it's a living center of transmission. Visits are often guided by community members who share personal stories and family anecdotes.
🖼️ Afro-Peruvian Mural Circuit: Discovery of murals telling the community's history (departure from Plaza de Armas)
🎶 Cajón Workshop: Introduction to the emblematic Afro-Peruvian instrument (by reservation)
🌅 Sunset over the Ruins: Magical moment when colonial stones turn golden (check access hours)
🚶♂️ Walk along the Zaña River: 2 km trail with views of the valley and local life
📖 Meeting with Local Historians: Informal exchanges with memory keepers (ask at tourist office)
The heart of the village offers several concentrated attractions:
"In Zaña, every step tells a story, every stone whispers a colonial secret, and every local smile offers a lesson in resilience. Here, tourism becomes dialogue, and the visit, transformation."
All the practical information to organize your visit to Zaña from Chiclayo: transportation, schedules, prices, services and tips for a successful experience.
Departure: Terminal Epsel de Chiclayo (Av. Nicolás de Piérola)
Transport: Direct combis (minibuses) to Zaña
Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes, 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Fare: 7-8 soles per person (one way)
Duration: 45-60 minutes depending on traffic
Arrival: Combis terminal in Zaña, 5 minutes walk from the center
Route: Chiclayo → Panamericana Norte → Zaña exit (after Reque and Mocupe)
Distance: 32 km from downtown Chiclayo
Duration: 40-50 minutes
Toll: None
Parking: Free spaces near Plaza de Armas and main ruins
Road condition: Paved up to Zaña, excellent signage
Fare: 90-120 soles depending on inclusions (guide, meal, transport)
Advantages: French/English speaking guide, simplified logistics, combined visits
Reservation: Recommended 24 hours in advance, possibility from your hotel
| Site | Hours | Last Entry | Opening Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convento de San Agustín | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 4:30 PM | Every day |
| Convento de San Francisco | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM | 4:00 PM | Every day |
| Museo Afroperuano | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 4:45 PM | Tuesday to Sunday |
| Puente Colgante | 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM | 5:45 PM | Every day |
| Plaza de Armas | 24/7 free access | - | Every day |
To organize your visit to Zaña from Chiclayo, here are the main expenses to plan for:
🎫 Main entrance fee:
Entry to Convento de San Agustín is approximately 5 soles per person. This rate may include a basic guided tour.
🏛️ Museo Afroperuano:
Suggested contribution of approximately 5 soles. Children are often admitted free.
🚍 Transportation from Chiclayo:
• Public combis: About 7-8 soles per person (one way)
• Departure: Terminal Epsel de Chiclayo
• Return: Last departures from Zaña around 7-8 PM
🍽️ Food:
A typical lunch at local restaurants costs between 25 and 40 soles (main dish, drink, dessert).
👨🏫 Local guide (optional):
If you want the services of a local guide, plan for an additional budget. Rates are negotiable on site depending on visit duration and group size.
1. Cash: Plan for soles in small bills (10-20 soles notes). There is no ATM in Zaña.
2. Negotiable rates: Rates for guides and some services are often flexible, especially in low season.
3. Groups: Groups of more than 8 people may sometimes get reduced rates for entries.
4. Low season: From December to April, some services may offer more advantageous rates.
Location: Calle principal, facing Plaza de Armas de Zaña
Hours: Monday to Saturday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM / 2:30 PM-5:30 PM (variable)
Services: Free maps, guide recommendations, festival information
Contact: +51 974 XXX XXX (municipal number)
Alternative: Ask for information at the Zaña District Mayor's Office
Visiting Zaña is much more than a simple archaeological excursion: it's an emotional journey through the centuries, an authentic encounter with the living history of colonial and Afro-Peruvian Peru.
• Historical authenticity: You walk the very streets where the colonial epic of northern Peru unfolded.
• Living culture: Zaña is not a closed museum, but a community proudly perpetuating its heritage.
• Unique accessibility: Just 45 minutes from Chiclayo, it's the perfect cultural half-day excursion.
• Guaranteed emotion: The atmosphere of the ruins at sunset, the stories of local guides, the flavors of fusion gastronomy create lasting memories.
Zaña teaches us a precious lesson about cultural resilience. From a city destroyed by natural disasters and invasions emerged a community determined to preserve its identity. The ruins speak not only of destruction, but also of reconstruction; traditions tell not only of the past, but build the future.
If your schedule allows, consider combining your visit to Zaña with other sites in the Lambayeque region. The cultural richness of this area would allow you, for example, to discover in the morning the colonial ruins of Zaña and in the afternoon the Moche archaeological treasures of the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum in Lambayeque, thus creating a complete historical tour of the region.
"Zaña is a silent dialogue between stones and memories, where each collapsed arch tells of past glory, each cracked wall whispers an overcome tragedy, and each local smile celebrates a cultural rebirth. Here, history is not a lesson in books, but an emotion that is lived, felt and shared."
With all this practical information, you are now perfectly prepared to experience the unique experience of Zaña. Don't forget your sunscreen, your curiosity and your respect for this extraordinary community.
Have a great journey through time in Zaña!
