Jiron de la Union
Encyclopedia
Historic Centre of Lima
Located principally in the city centre or Cercado de Lima and Rímac areas, the Historic Centre of Lima is among the most important tourist destinations in Peru.-Foundation:...
, part of the capital of Peru
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
. For many years it was one of the most important boulevards of the city, often described as the most aristocratic, where many of the most affluent citizens of the city would meet. Subsequently, with the deterioration of the centre of Lima, the Jiron de la Union lost its aristocratic character and became completely commercialized.
History
The Jiron de la Union was built by Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro González, Marquess was a Spanish conquistador, conqueror of the Incan Empire, and founder of Lima, the modern-day capital of the Republic of Peru.-Early life:...
in 1535 the year of the foundation of Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
. It is located on the eastern side of the Plaza de Armas
Plaza Mayor of Lima
The Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas of Lima, is the birthplace of the city of Lima, as well as the core of the city. Located in the Historic Centre of Lima, it is surrounded by the Government Palace, Cathedral of Lima, Archbishop's Palace of Lima, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union.-...
. It was not until the early 20th century however, that it was given its current name.
In 1535, The founder of Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro González, Marquess was a Spanish conquistador, conqueror of the Incan Empire, and founder of Lima, the modern-day capital of the Republic of Peru.-Early life:...
, designated a lot on this street to contain the City Hall
City hall
In local government, a city hall, town hall or a municipal building or civic centre, is the chief administrative building of a city...
; the current city hall still retains that same location. It is also one of the roads that surrounds the Palace of Government of Peru
Government Palace (Peru)
The Government Palace of Peru, also known as House of Pizarro, renoved in 1937, was the house of the Peruvian government headquarters and was built over a huge Indian burying ground Waka that had a shrine of Indian chief Taulichusco. It has been through many alterations...
.
In 1862, with the adoption of a new system of nomenclature, the Jiron ceased to be the axis on which the city was planned on. Thus, streets intersecting with the Jiron de la Union had two separate names, one for their west side and another for the east.
At the start of the republican era, the Jiron de la Union developed various pubs and restaurants as well as imported goods stores and jewellers. This caused upper-class Limeans to frequent this roadway. Until the 1950s, the term irse a jironear was used when coming to the street in dress clothing. At this time, citizens of Lima at the most distinguished cultural, political, artistic and social levels could be found in the street's various cafes. As the Peruvian writer Abraham Valdelomar
Abraham Valdelomar
Pedro Abraham Valdelomar Pinto was a Peruvian narrator, poet, journalist, essayist and dramatist; he is considered the founder of the avant-garde in Peru, although more for his dandy-like public poses and his founding of the journal Colónida than for his own writing, which is lyrically...
once said, "Peru is Lima, Lima is the Jiron de la Union, the Jiron de la Union is the Palais Concert, and I am the Palais Concert". This phrase well reflects the impact this street had on the economic and social aspects of the city's daily life.
In the 1970s, the third through ninth blocks of the street were restricted solely for pedestrian use. In the 1980s, the Historic Centre of Lima
Historic Centre of Lima
Located principally in the city centre or Cercado de Lima and Rímac areas, the Historic Centre of Lima is among the most important tourist destinations in Peru.-Foundation:...
suffered through a period of decadence in which the economic recession and the increase of crime drove away visitors. At this time, the Jiron was converted into a commercial emporium with a great quantity of abandoned store property and a large amount of street sellers. It was not until the next decade until the reorganization of the historic centre took place at the orders of the mayor Alberto Andrade Carmona which allowed the Jiron to reactivate its economy.
Currently, the Jiron de la Union has returned to being a commercial centre however it has long lost its aristocratic character. The last change that has been made is the demolition of the concrete benches placed in the 1970s that were built with the intent to pedestrianize the road. These have been replaced with new benches inscribed with the coat of arms of each of the different departments of Peru
Regions of Peru
The regions of Peru are the first-level administrative subdivisions of Peru. Since its 1821 independence, Peru had been divided into departments but faced the problem of an increasing centralization of political and economic power in its capital, Lima...
.
Old names for the Jirón de la Unión
From the foundation of LimaLima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, and until 1862, streets had a different name for each individual block. In this sense, one avenue in reality was made up of a variety of different streets. For this reason, before it was called the Jiron de la Union, each of its eleven blocks had a different name.
- Block 1: named Puente de Piedra for the bridge that was built there and which unites downtown LimaLimaLima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
with the Rimac DistrictRímac DistrictRímac is a district in the Lima Province, Peru. It lies directly to the north of downtown Lima, to which it is connected by six bridges over the Rímac River. The district also borders the Independencia, San Martín de Porres, and San Juan de Lurigancho districts...
. - Block 2: named Palace for the Palace of Government of PeruGovernment Palace (Peru)The Government Palace of Peru, also known as House of Pizarro, renoved in 1937, was the house of the Peruvian government headquarters and was built over a huge Indian burying ground Waka that had a shrine of Indian chief Taulichusco. It has been through many alterations...
which is located on this block - Block 3: named Portal of the Scribes as the city hall was located on this block as well as the scribes offices during the Viceroyalty of PeruViceroyalty of PeruCreated in 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was a Spanish colonial administrative district that originally contained most of Spanish-ruled South America, governed from the capital of Lima...
. - Block 4: named Mercaderes for the large amount of commerce conducted on this street
- Block 5: named Espaderos for the various establishments for the fabrication and sale of swords and other knives which, in the 17th century, existed on this block.
- Block 6: named La Merced for the Church of la Merced which is located on this block
- Block 7: named Baquijano. Until the end of the 18th century, this block was called Gurmendi because the estate of the don Berndardo de Gurmendi who was a member of the king's court, was located on this block. In 1730 it was renamed Baquijano because the manor of the don Juan Bautista de Baquijano y Urigoen was erected there
- Block 8: named Boza because the house of the Marquese of Boza was located there
- Block 9: named Plaza Micheo for the plaza located there
- Block 10: named Belen. In 1613 this block was named Paula Piraldo, whose estate occupied this location. In 1842, the land was sold to the monks of the Heart of Jesus and Maria who established the Belen School at this location
- Block 11: Named Juan Simon. Occupied what constituted as the city limit and intersected with the Lima City WallsLima City WallsThe Lima city walls were built by Viceroy Melchor de Navarra y Rocafull between 1684 and 1687 to protect Lima against attacks from pirates and privateers. They included 34 bulwarks and five gates; their total cost was estimated at 400,000 Spanish dollars...
. It was named for Juan Simon, a land owner
Route
The Jiron de la Union begins its route at the Rimac riverRímac River
The Rímac River is located in western Peru and is the most important source of potable water for the Lima and Callao Metropolitan Area.The river is part of the Pacific watershed and has a length of 160 km...
. The Puente de Piedra
Puente de Piedra
Puente de Piedra the in Spanish but known as the Bridge of Eggs is a bridge in Lima, Peru in South America. It was built in 1608 by the architect Juan del Corral to link Lima with Rímac...
, also known as the Puente Trujillo as it is a continuation of Trujillo Street in the Rimac District
Rímac District
Rímac is a district in the Lima Province, Peru. It lies directly to the north of downtown Lima, to which it is connected by six bridges over the Rímac River. The district also borders the Independencia, San Martín de Porres, and San Juan de Lurigancho districts...
, is considered part of the Jiron and is one of the oldest and most important bridges which cross the river. The eastern wall of the Government Palace
Government Palace (Peru)
The Government Palace of Peru, also known as House of Pizarro, renoved in 1937, was the house of the Peruvian government headquarters and was built over a huge Indian burying ground Waka that had a shrine of Indian chief Taulichusco. It has been through many alterations...
is located on the west side of the second block of the Jiron. Meanwhile, the Passage of the Post is located on the east side and the Post Office is located there as well. The Park of the Flag is located at the end of this block where a statue of Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro González, Marquess was a Spanish conquistador, conqueror of the Incan Empire, and founder of Lima, the modern-day capital of the Republic of Peru.-Early life:...
, donated by Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, was previously located. The mayor, Luis Castañeda Lossio
Luis Castañeda Lossio
Óscar Luis Castañeda Lossio is a Peruvian politician who was Mayor of Lima, Peru, from 2003 to 2010.-Biography:Castañeda, who was born in Chiclayo and lived in the Casa Castañeda, is the son of Carlos Castañeda Iparraguirre and Ida Lossio. His father is remembered as one of the most important...
, removed the statue and transferred it to the Lima City Walls Park
Lima City Walls
The Lima city walls were built by Viceroy Melchor de Navarra y Rocafull between 1684 and 1687 to protect Lima against attacks from pirates and privateers. They included 34 bulwarks and five gates; their total cost was estimated at 400,000 Spanish dollars...
. To replace it, he ordered a fountain be built with the addition of a flag of Peru
Flag of Peru
The flag of Peru was adopted by the government of Peru in 1825. It is a vertical triband with red outer bands and a single white middle band. Depending on its use, it may be defaced with different emblems, and has different names...
.
The Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is the name for the main square in many Latin American cities. In Mexico this space is known as El Zócalo, and in Central America as Parque Central...
of Lima is located on the third block accompanied by palaces of City Hall and the Club de la Union. The Santa Rosa Passage intersects this block which divides both palaces and where several restaurants and a museum are located. On the fourth block, the street becomes exclusively pedestrian and various clothing and footwear shops can be found. On the fifth block the department store Saga Falabella
Saga Falabella
SAGA Falabella is a department store chain in Peru, formed in 1996 through the acquisition by the Chilean Falabella chain of the former SAGA chain....
is located.
The Cathedral of La Merced is located on the sixth block as well as the smaller Plazoleta de La Merced church, where in 1821, José de San Martín
José de San Martín
José Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , he left his mother country at the...
declared the Independence of Peru which is commemorated by a bronze statue. A monument to the former Peruvian president Ramon Castilla
Ramón Castilla
Ramón Castilla y Marquesado was a Peruvian caudillo and President of Peru four times. His earliest prominent appearance in Peruvian history began with his participation in a commanding role of the army of the Libertadores that helped Peru become an independent nation...
is located at the Plazoleta. On the same Plazoleta, a plaque commemorates Fernando Belaúnde Terry
Fernando Belaúnde Terry
Fernando Belaúnde Terry was President of Peru for two non-consecutive terms . Deposed by a military coup in 1968, he was re-elected in 1980 after eleven years of military rule...
march of protest against the National Jury of Elections who did not register his candidacy for the presidency until sixteen days before the national elections. The block ends with the Interbank corporate headquarters located in an early republic building. A Saga Falabella
Saga Falabella
SAGA Falabella is a department store chain in Peru, formed in 1996 through the acquisition by the Chilean Falabella chain of the former SAGA chain....
department store is also located on this block.
After the intersection with Emancipation Avenue, the seventh block is the location of the since demolished Palais Concert, which currently is home to a night club. After this block, the Jiron is made up of casinos and slot machines as well as chicken restaurants. The ninth block his home to a Cineplanet and the commercial galleries of Via Vento and Boza which are deteriorated and semivacant. The first escalators of Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
were built at Boza in the 1960s. On this block tattoo parlors and piercing shops begin to appear more frequently. Previously this was the location of the headquarters of the newspaper La Prensa until it was closed down in the 1980s.
The ninth block borders the eastern side of the Plaza San Martin
Plaza San Martín
Plaza San Martín is a common name for squares in many towns and cities of Argentina and Perú. The name honors the national hero General José de San Martín.- Argentina :* Plaza San Martín * Plaza San Martín...
and passes by the Club Nacional and the Hotel Bolivar. There are bureaus de change
Bureau de Change
A bureau de change or currency exchange is a business whose customers exchange one currency for another. Although originally French, the term bureau de change is widely used throughout Europe, and European travellers can usually easily identify these facilities when in other European countries...
located on the northeastern corner of the plaza.
The tenth and eleventh blocks are the least traversed of any of the other blocks, and there are a greater amount of restaurants and travel agencies. The Rimac Building is located on the last block of the Jiron de la Union marking the beginning of Roosevelt Avenue to the east, Bolivia Avenue to the west, and the commencement of the Paseo de la Republica expressway and the Paseo de los Heroes Navales.