At the time, it was the main bastion that Callao had to avoid the onslaught of foreign criminals. Corsairs, looters and pirates tried to enter Peru through the main port of the country, but saw their plans truncated after coming across the imposing Real Felipe Fortress, the largest construction made by the Spanish domain in Latin America.
This military building was the Peruvian shield against the attacks that came from enemy fleets that appeared from the Pacific Ocean. Nowadays, the swords and rifles only serve as decoration, since it was transformed into a museum and the most fascinating attraction that the Constitutional Province of Callao has. Here, learn a little about the history and how to make the most of your visit to this fabulous and enigmatic piece of architecture and history.
Where is the Real Felipe located?
It is located in Plaza Independencia (Start of Av. Sáenz Peña) Callao.
Origin of the fortress
Real Felipe, baptized in honor of King Felipe V -the first Spanish monarch of the House of Bourbon-, began to be built at the beginning of 1747, after a tidal wave and earthquake hit the city of Lima. The date of this disaster was October 28, 1746, sufficient reason for Viceroy José Antonio Manso de Velasco to give the order for its construction. The enemy would have no advantage while the city was being rebuilt.
Its initial use was that of a military fortress that was capable of containing attacks from enemy fleets. However, it was also the last refuge of the Spanish royal army during the process of independence of Peru. The Real Felipe Fortress has the shape of an irregular pentagon and currently occupies an area of 70,000 m².
Its interior is made up of five bastions, two towers and five walls with their own names, being the Torreón del Rey, the Torreón de la Reina, the Governor's House, the Artillery Park, the Armored Vehicle Park and the Oploteca the most important to the fortress.
A family place
It is no longer a war site. The Real Felipe Fortress went from being a military building to a space for tourists, with an impressive museum in charge of the Peruvian Army. Here, the history of the soldiers who fought for the independence and peace of the Inca country in the combat of Dos de Mayo or the War of the Pacific is exhibited. Now, you can plan a family visit, since the buildings and interiors that you can explore on foot will delight young and old.
The first thing you should know is that this fortress works from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. m. to 4:00 p.m. m. Some days the Real Felipe is closed as they carry out various maintenance works. To ensure that you can attend without any problem, you can make your reservation at the following telephone numbers: (+511) 429-0532, (+511) 465-8394 or (+51) 965 060 125. Photos without flash are allowed , while it is not possible to make videos.
The cost of admission is 5 soles (1.25 dollars, approximately) for children under 12 years of age. Those over 13 years of age pay 10 soles (2.50 dollars) and foreigners a single rate of 15 soles (3.75 dollars). The tour lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes and has the service of a tour guide in Spanish, permanent assistance and a first aid kit.
The Real Felipe is located in Plaza Independencia, at the height of the first block of Avenida Sáenz Peña. It has parking lots outside the fortress, although these are not included in the cost of the entrance ticket. For seasons, you can also do the tour at night (these cost about 45 soles or about 11.25 dollars, approximately).
What to see in the Real Felipe Fortress?
It is one of the most important fortresses in America. It was built in 1747 and played an important role in the colony by protecting the capital from attacks by pirates and corsairs. Currently, the fortress is the headquarters of the Peruvian Army Museum, and inside you can visit:
- The King's Tower.
- The Tower of the Queen.
- Governor's House.
- The Artillery Park.
- The Armored Vehicle Park.
- Knight of the Twelve Guns.
- The Peruvian Legion of the Guard.
- The Oploteca.
Why is he called Real Felipe?
This fortress was built after the earthquake and tidal wave of October 28, 1746, and was named Real Felipe in honor of King Felipe V, the first Spanish monarch of the House of Bourbon, who died precisely in 1746.
What role did the Real Felipe Fortress play during the independence of Peru?
The Real Felipe Fortress is one of the greatest historical monuments in Peru. Built during the colonial period, it was the last refuge of the Spanish in our territory. It played an important role in the colony by protecting the coastal area of Callao from attacks by pirates and corsairs.
How to tour the Real Felipe Fortress?
To have access to the information of the 70,000 m2 military building, visitors will be able to scan the QR code of each of the environments with their smartphones. This alternative seeks to provide new experiences, especially to the youngest, and spread Peruvian culture through current technologies.
"All sectors of the museum have a QR code. It is important that you download it for free. The information is simple and allows you to understand the historical processes through which the fortress has passed and also explains in a didactic way what it has to do with the military history," he said.
In these you can see canyons of different origins; which were of short range and caliber. Likewise, combat vehicles. Also the dungeon, semicircular in shape, where the detainees could barely stand and thus stood and in almost total darkness they spent all the time.
In addition to them, you will be able to see the two towers of the King and the Queen, as well as the five walls called Camino Real, de la Marina, Camino de Chucuito, la Marcelosa and Camino de la Magdalena.
An obligatory stop is also the original sculpture by the Spanish Agustín Querol Subirats, who showed our hero Francisco Bolognesi, mortally wounded, absorbed in his conscious sacrifice, embracing the flag and without letting go of the revolver with which he had fired the last cartridge.
Adults and children will be able to visit, at affordable prices and with all health protocols, the spaces of our military history and the evolution of the glorious Army of Peru, from pre-Hispanic times to the present day.
Visitors will be able to find data on the bastions located in each of the five corners of the Felipe del Callao Royal Army Museum, called the King, the Queen or the Homeland, the Prince, Jonte or San Felipe, the Princess, the Tapia or San Carlos and San José or the Nativity.
Data
- Attention is every day, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- 12 soles is the cost of admission for adults. Children, university students, older adults and people with disabilities pay S / 5.
- The capacity is large and has biosecurity measures.
- Since 1952 it is considered a National Historical Heritage.
How much does the entrance to Real Felipe cost?
National and foreign adult: S/ 12.00
Children: S/ 5.00
Photographs
- Photographs are allowed without the use of flash.
- Filming is prohibited.
Additional services
- Cafeteria
- Wheelchair and ease of access
- Guiding service in Spanish (Included)
- It also offers cultural and artistic activities.
Parking
- There is parking space outside the museum
- It has parking and the entry of buses can be coordinated.
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