Huaura Museum facts for kids
| Museo Monumental de Huaura | |
The museum's balcony
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| Established | 19 September 1974 |
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| Location | Huaura, Peru |
| Type | Historic site |
| Accreditation | Municipality of Huaura |
The Monumental Museum of the District Municipality of Huanta, also known as the Huaura Balcony, is a special museum in Huaura, Peru. It's like a time capsule dedicated to José de San Martín and the brave journey to make Peru an independent country. The museum is inside an old house from the time when Spain ruled Peru. This house used to be a customs office. It was officially named a historical monument in 1942 because of its important past.
History of the Building
This historic building was constructed a long time ago, in the early 1600s, when Peru was still a Spanish colony. It was built using materials like thatch, mud, and wood from Nicaragua. The building has a front part, a hallway, and a main courtyard that connects all the rooms. It stands in the city's main plaza.
San Martín and Independence
The building became very famous during the Peruvian War of Independence. José de San Martín, a very important leader, used this house as his temporary headquarters. From its balcony, he made a powerful speech, declaring Peru's independence for the first time. This was a huge moment for the country! After this, San Martín continued his journey towards Lima.
In 1836, the building was even declared the Government Palace for a part of Peru called North Peru. This shows how important it was.
Later, in 1921, the Peruvian government decided to buy the building to celebrate 100 years of Peru's independence. A big event was held there, and the balcony became known as the Balcony of Independence. In 1942, the building was officially recognized as a historical monument.
The Museum and Balcony
The old house was turned into a museum starting in 1974. It was officially named the Monumental Museum of the District Municipality of Huaura in 1996. The government at the time helped with the plans to make it a museum. An architect named Emilio Harth Terré was in charge of making the building ready. Today, the local government of Huaura District owns the house, but the famous balcony belongs to the Peruvian government.
In 1985, some items were stolen from the museum. These included a copy of San Martín's sword and a copy of the first flag of Peru designed by San Martín. Luckily, most of the stolen items were found and returned. However, the original flag never came back to Huaura and stayed in Lima. Now, a replica flag is used during celebrations in the city.
The museum continues to be an important place. In 2021, during the 200th anniversary of Peru's independence, the president of Peru at the time, Francisco Sagasti, visited the museum.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Monumental de la Municipalidad Distrital de Huaura para niños
- Palacio de la Magdalena, another historic place where San Martín stayed.
