The Liberal Constitution of Cádiz was sworn in Plaza Constitución, years before the independence of Peru, in 1821. The plaza is carefully decorated with native ornamental plants such as quishuar and broom.
It is located in the city center.
Plaza de la Constitución is one of the two main squares in the city of Huancayo, Peru, along with Huamanmarca Park. Previously, it was called Plaza del Comercio, but its name was changed after the swearing-in of the liberal Constitution of Cádiz was carried out there, in 1813, by the people of Huancaíno.
In this square, the main temple of the city (today Huancayo Cathedral) has been built since the beginning of the 19th century and it has been, since the beginning of the 20th century, the main commercial, religious, civic and political center of the city.
Name
The square was originally named “Commerce Square” upon its opening. However, its name was changed in 1813 due to the swearing by the Huancaíno people of the liberal Constitution of Cádiz. However, there is some confusion in the sense that it is believed that the name corresponds to the promulgation of the Political Constitution of Peru of 1839, which was also carried out there. However, the name change predates the independence of Peru.
History
Since the founding of the city in the 16th century, the city of Huancayo developed around the Camino Real de los Incas (current Calle Real) in the area now occupied by Huamanmarca Plaza and which, in ancient times, housed a stone shrine. The temple of the Santísima Trinidad de Huancayo was built there during the 17th century, which deteriorated towards the end of the 18th century. The deterioration of this temple motivated the residents to build a new temple, but it was decided that it would not be built in the same location but in a small plaza located three hundred meters to the north. This space was opened through the donation of land by some neighbors. It is noted that, before 1804, the space of the plaza belonged to the Torres Golpes families and the Francisco Castro family.
The construction of the new main temple (current Huancayo Cathedral) began in 1799 and ended in 1831. At the same time, during those years, civil, religious, commercial and residential buildings were built in its surroundings, such as the building of the old Tivoli Hotel, which dates back to the late from the 18th century and which still stands today. The square, since its opening, was called Plaza del Comercio, but this name was changed to "Plaza de la Constitución" - a name that it maintains to this day - because on January 3, 1813, in it, the sworn on behalf of the Huancaíno people of the liberal Constitution of Cádiz. It must be remembered that in those years, although the independence process had already begun in various parts of Spanish America, the viceroyalty of Peru continued to exist and many of the areas within it were loyal to the Crown. In that setting, on January 1, 1813, a solemn mass of thanksgiving was celebrated and the constitution of Cádiz was sworn.
Later, in the first years of the republic, the square strengthened its name when the city received the General Congress, in 1839, whose purpose was the elaboration of a new constitution, the Political Constitution of Peru of 1839, which was the fifth charter politics of the country in its first eighteen years of existence. Congress met in the city from August 1839 to November 1839, when the new Constitution was promulgated by President Agustín Gamarra in that same square. Likewise, on March 25, 1855, the then president, Ramón Castilla, issued, in a building located in the square, the decrees of the abolition of slavery and the indigenous tribute. That house, despite having been declared a national historical monument by law of the Congress of the Republic No. 12064 of January 12, 1954, was demolished in the 60s when the square was expanded.
Until the middle of the 20th century, the plaza was narrow and corresponded only to the width of the temple and the small buildings on its sides. For many years, it lacked pavement or tile in its center. In 1905, the cobblestone paving of the streets surrounding the square began, and on March 31, 1909, the central slab was added. In later photos you can see that around 1930 the square had a pavilion that housed a gazebo in front of the temple door, a larger fountain meters back and radial planters. The construction of the plaza and the cathedral was the largest urban project carried out in the city and demonstrated the power of its neighborhood, since it was not just an ornamental modification or an exclusively religious one. The opening of the square had a political and commercial connotation, moving the center of the city from the old Huaman Square to it.
Until the middle of the 20th century, the plaza was narrow and corresponded only to the width of the temple and the small buildings on its sides. For many years, it lacked pavement or tile in its center. In 1905, the cobblestone paving of the streets surrounding the square began, and on March 31, 1909, the central slab was added. In later photos you can see that around 1930 the square had a pavilion that housed a gazebo in front of the temple door, a larger fountain meters back and radial planters. The construction of the plaza and the cathedral was the largest urban project carried out in the city and demonstrated the power of its neighborhood, since it was not just an ornamental modification or an exclusively religious one. The opening of the plaza had a political and commercial connotation, moving the center of the city from the old Huamanmarca plaza to it.
In the 60s, the demolition of the southern block of the square surrounded by Calle Real, Jirón Áncash and Avenida Giráldez took place with the aim of expanding the square. Likewise, the existing elements in the old plaza were modified with the exception of the pool. On that occasion, its first monument was added, consisting of a statue of President Ramón Castilla. Later, a monument would be added in honor of Miguel Grau and a third in honor of the Mother.
On April 26, 1989, Chief Resolution No. 009-89-INC/J dated January 12 of that same year was published, which declared the Monumental Zone of Huancayo as a Historical Monument of Peru, including this plaza within it. . In 1997, during the building management of Pedro Morales Mansilla, the park was renovated seeking to give it a message of identity and modernity. Trees from the region were planted such as the Raimondi puya, tanquish, huarangay, cantutas of various heats. Likewise, an arch-shaped structure was built that sought to provide a spatial balance with the dome of the cathedral.
Around
Currently, the square continues to be the commercial center of the city. On its northeast side the cathedral stands out. Next to it are one- and two-story buildings with sloping roofs. These buildings are in a state of deterioration. Its southwest profile (Calle Real) was one of those that has undergone the greatest transformations, especially due to the construction of the Constitución shopping gallery built after the demolition of a building that was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 1988. Likewise, there is the house of the poet Juan Parra del Riego and the house where the abolition of slavery was decreed. As well as the premises of the old Industrial Bank and which is currently the Casa del Artesano shopping center. All of these buildings only have two or three floors. The northwest profile (Jirón Puno) is the one that best preserves the typology of Huancaí republican architecture, showing a unitary, welcoming and representative silhouette. It houses the Nuestra Señora del Valle theater, the premises of the Archbishopric of Huancayo and the building of the old Tívoli Hotel. Finally, the southeast side (Giraldez Avenue) is the most heterogeneous of the square due to the diversity of facades. The most notable building is the Kiya Hotel on the southeast corner of the intersection of Giráldez and Real Street. Also noteworthy, on the corner with Jirón Áncash, is the modernized Restaurante Olimpico, which is one of the most traditional in the city.
Best Trekking and Tours in Peru
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Sacred Valley Bike Tour
- Honeymoon in Machu Picchu
- 1 Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
- Sacred Valley Tours
- Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu
- Short 2 Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- Apu Ausangate Trek 7 days
- 4 Day Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu
- Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu
- Urubamba River Rafting
- 5 Days Salkantay Mountain Trek
- 3 Days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu
- 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.