Real Felipe Fortress and Museum of the Peruvian Army

Description

The Real Felipe Fortress is a historic military architectural complex built in the Bay of Callao for defensive purposes, mainly to protect the port from pirate and privateer attacks. Its construction began during the government of Viceroy José Antonio Manso de Velasco and was completed during the government of Viceroy Manuel de Amat y Juniet.

Location

It is located in Peru, in the Bay of Callao, at Plaza Independencia.

General Features

• It is a historic military architectural complex.
• It has the shape of an irregular pentagon, with a bastion at each point of the pentagon.
• It occupies a pentagon-shaped area of 70,000 square meters and has a perimeter of 1,586 m.
• It was built with stone and lime mortar, using a mixture of sand, lime, and egg whites from guano birds.
• Inside, it includes various spaces, among them towers, plazas, passageways, cells, and rooms adapted for museum exhibitions.
• The Real Felipe Fortress represents an important educational and cultural site, as well as a permanent testimony to Peru’s history and heritage.
• Visits to this site are guided and last approximately 120 minutes.

Highlights

This Spanish military fortress was built between 1747 and 1774 as a defensive bastion for the Port of Callao against pirate and privateer attacks. It was the last Spanish stronghold during Peru’s independence. It was designed by Luis Godin following the principles of the Vauban school, which dominated military architecture at the time. It covers an area of 70,000 square meters and has a pentagonal shape. It once had 188 bronze cannons and 124 iron cannons. Part of this fortress currently houses the Military History Museum.

Opening Hours and Fees

Daytime service: Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Reference fee

General admission: S/ 18.00