University Park, Lima facts for kids
Quick facts for kids University Park |
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The park (foreground) and the Casona de San Marcos (background)
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | Historic Centre of Lima |
| Created | 1923 |
| Operated by | Lima Park Service |
| Open | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
University Park is a public park in the heart of Lima, Peru. It's shaped like a rectangle and sits where two big streets, Abancay Avenue and Nicolás de Piérola Avenue, meet. This park is a popular spot for people to relax and enjoy the city.
History of University Park
The park is named after the historic building of the National University of San Marcos, called the "Casona." This building is right next to the park. For a long time, until the late 1800s, the Casona was home to a famous school called the Real Convictorio de San Carlos. Today, it's a cultural center.
The university moved into the Casona in the mid-1870s. Before that, the university's old building became the home of the Chamber of Deputies, which is now the Congress of the Republic of Peru. The university stayed at the Casona until 1966. An earthquake that year damaged the building, and the university moved to its new campus, the Ciudad Universitaria. Because of its connection to the university, the park was often a place for student protests and gatherings throughout the 1900s.
Workers built University Park in the early 1920s. After many years, the park started to look old and worn out. So, in the 1980s and 1990s, the park was made new again. They added two pretty pools and a fence around the park.
The park has several important statues and a special clock tower. This tower is called the Torre Alemana, or German Tower. It's a huge clock that the German community in Peru gave to Lima in 1921. This gift celebrated 100 years of Peru's independence. Also, right next to the Casona de San Marcos, you can find the Panteón de los Próceres, a place honoring important Peruvian heroes.
Important Statues in the Park
University Park is home to several statues that honor important people from Peru's history:
- The Monument to Sebastián Lorente honors Sebastián Lorente. This statue is at the east end of the park. It's made of bronze and granite. A Peruvian artist named José Luis F. Agurto created it, and it was officially shown to the public on September 15, 1924.
- The Monument to Hipólito Unanue is for Hipólito Unanue. He was a very important person who helped Peru become independent. He was also a politician and a doctor. His statue is in front of the Casona de San Marcos entrance. It's made of beautiful Italian marble. A Spanish artist named Manuel Piqueras Cotolí made it, and it was opened on July 29, 1931.
- The Monument to Bartolomé Herrera honors Bartolomé Herrera. You can find this statue next to the clock tower. It's made of bronze and marble. Germany gave this statue to Peru, and it was opened in 1922. The Spanish artist Gregorio Domingo created this artwork.
See also
In Spanish: Parque Universitario para niños
- Casona of the National University of San Marcos, a historic building next to the park
- Javier Alzamora Valdez Building, a building across the street from the park
