Casa Urquiaga – MUCEN Trujillo

Casa Urquiaga – MUCEN Trujillo at a glance

The Casa Urquiaga property was assigned to the first mayor, Rodrigo Lozano, in 1535. The Urquiaga family later owned the house for over 170 years. Simón Bolívar stayed here during the independence campaign and organized parts of his military operations from Trujillo in 1824. The Central Bank of Peru acquired the house in 1972 and converted it into a museum.

The three-courtyard complex combines Baroque, Rococo, and, above all, Neoclassical elements. The MUCEN Trujillo exhibitions include pre-Columbian ceramics, colonial paintings, republican portraits, coins, banknotes, and historical furniture. The visit conveys the city's history through the furnishings and the changing residents of the house.

Trujillo is located on the north coast of Peru and is the capital of the La Libertad region. The historical center is accessible from Lima by plane or long-distance bus; many important sights within the old town are located close to each other.

Photo gallery

Why Casa Urquiaga – MUCEN Trujillo is special

The three-courtyard complex combines Baroque, Rococo, and, above all, Neoclassical elements. The MUCEN Trujillo exhibitions include pre-Columbian ceramics, colonial paintings, republican portraits, coins, banknotes, and historical furniture. The visit conveys the city's history through the furnishings and the changing residents of the house.

The Casa Urquiaga property was assigned to the first mayor, Rodrigo Lozano, in 1535. The Urquiaga family later owned the house for over 170 years. Simón Bolívar stayed here during the independence campaign and organized parts of his military operations from Trujillo in 1824. The Central Bank of Peru acquired the house in 1972 and converted it into a museum.

Tour and visit

The museum entrance is located directly on the Plaza de Armas at Jirón Francisco Pizarro 446. The house can be combined with the cathedral and the Liberty Monument without a long trip. MUCEN offers organized tours for groups.

The area is part of the historical old town. For multiple stops, a joint route starting from the Plaza de Armas is recommended, which can be planned without additional long-distance travel.

History and features

The Casa Urquiaga property was assigned to the first mayor, Rodrigo Lozano, in 1535. The Urquiaga family later owned the house for over 170 years. Simón Bolívar stayed here during the independence campaign and organized parts of his military operations from Trujillo in 1824. The Central Bank of Peru acquired the house in 1972 and converted it into a museum.

The three-courtyard complex combines Baroque, Rococo, and, above all, Neoclassical elements. The MUCEN Trujillo exhibitions include pre-Columbian ceramics, colonial paintings, republican portraits, coins, banknotes, and historical furniture. The visit conveys the city's history through the furnishings and the changing residents of the house.

The museum entrance is located directly on the Plaza de Armas at Jirón Francisco Pizarro 446. The house can be combined with the cathedral and the Liberty Monument without a long trip. MUCEN offers organized tours for groups.

Admission and visit

MUCEN: Free admission; special offers may require registration. The official MUCEN website states Monday to Saturday, 09:15 to 17:00. Participation in special tours may be limited; dates and registration are announced via the museum calendar.

The stated rates and access requirements may change. For paid offers, current prices should be confirmed directly with the operator before the visit.

Opening hours and best time to visit

Monday to Saturday, 09:15–17:00 (MUCEN info). The official MUCEN website states Monday to Saturday, 09:15 to 17:00. Participation in special tours may be limited; dates and registration are announced via the museum calendar.

The center of Trujillo is only about 34 meters above sea level. PROMPERÚ reports temperatures of approximately 19 to 28 degrees Celsius for the destination; sun protection is recommended, especially for longer city walks.

Current visit tips

The official MUCEN website states Monday to Saturday, 09:15 to 17:00. Participation in special tours may be limited; dates and registration are announced via the museum calendar.

Personal items should be kept an eye on in the busy city center. In churches, museums, and privately used buildings, house rules, photo restrictions, and ongoing events must be respected.

How demanding is the visit?

The visit is physically mostly easy. The paths in the center are short but may include uneven sidewalks, curbs, or stairs at historical buildings.

For those with limited mobility, it is advisable to check the accessibility of the respective rooms directly with the operator in advance.

What should you bring?

For the city walk, comfortable shoes, drinking water, a sun hat, and sunscreen are useful. A camera is great for the historical facades; photo bans may apply inside the rooms.

For museums that charge admission, some cash in Soles should be ready. Opening hours and short-term changes can be checked on-site on the day of your visit.