Lima es Corte

Abstract

On Saint Andrew’s Day in 1569, viceroy Francisco de Toledo made his official entry into Lima. By custom the fifth viceroy of Peru had come ashore at the northern port of Paita at the end of September and from there traveled overland to Lima (meanwhile his entourage continued south by ship to Lima’s port at Callao). On his way to Lima, the viceroy visited several cities along the Peruvian coast and made a solemn entry into the city of Trujillo. With the viceroy nearing Lima, the cabildo learned that his entourage had not yet arrived at Callao. Since it was customary to accommodate the viceroy’s household into his new residence before the entry, the viceroy paused near Chancay, at the Villa de Arnedo, approximately nine leagues to the north of Lima. Once the viceregal household (criados y recamara) arrived in Callao and his entourage was set up in the “royal houses” they would occupy before moving to Lima, the viceroy traveled half a league to the small farm or Chacara del Barrio Nuevo, on the outskirts of Lima, where he was greeted by royal and city officials before his formal entrance into the city a few days later.¹ It was a long, seven-month journey: the viceroy had left the Spanish port of San Lúcar de Barrameda in March.²

Of all the solemnities observed in the Indies, one of the greatest acts in which Lima’s opulence is displayed is the entrance of the viceroy … rich coaches and calashes, laces, jewels and garments of rich and costly fabrics are displayed in order to flaunt the power of its people.

—Juan and Ulloa, Relacion Historica del Viaje a la America Meridional