Among the elegant residences of San Isidro rises Huaca Huallamarca, a stepped adobe pyramid that locals once nicknamed Pan de Azúcar (Sugar Loaf) for its shape. It is one of the best-preserved pre-Hispanic monuments in the city and a quiet stop away from the crowds.
History
The pyramid was built in the first centuries of our era as a ceremonial platform, using small handmade adobe bricks. Centuries later, after it had stopped being used as a temple, it became a cemetery for the people who lived in the valley, up to the time of the Incas.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the archaeologist Arturo Jiménez Borja led the excavation and restoration of the site, which saved it from disappearing under the growing city.
What you will see
- The restored pyramid, with a long ramp leading to its upper platform
- Views over the treetops and buildings of San Isidro
- A site museum with ceramics, textiles, tools and funerary bundles found during the excavations
Visit Huaca Huallamarca
The visit takes about 45 minutes and is a good complement to the nearby El Olivar Park, an old olive grove planted in colonial times. It is a perfect stop on a private city tour that includes the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores: ask us about our Lima Private City Tour.