Trujillo Museums

(Trujillo, La Libertad, Peru)

There really is a very good selection of museums worth checking out in Trujillo, offering something different, away from the coastline and beaches. The museums around Trujillo showcase the very best in the region's rich history, boasting treasures from ancient Peruvian civilisations.

Housing a surprisingly extensive private collection of archaeological artefacts and Moche ceramics, the Museo Arqueologico Casinelli is highly recommended and is actually located in the basement of a local gas station. The Casinelli Museum is conveniently close to Trujillo city centre and just minutes to the north of the Mansiche Stadium.

Museo de Sitio Chan Chan

Address: Jiron Pedro Murillo 1681, La Esperanza, Trujillo, Peru, PE
The Site Museum (Museo de Sitio) is to be found at the archaeological site of Chan Chan, an ancient mud city on the easterly outskirts of Trujillo. Although small, this attraction contains an appealing collection of historical exhibits that were discovered here, including Inca ceramics and some detailed models. Always popular is the auditorium, where audio-visual presentations regularly take place in both England and Spanish. The Museo de Sitio Chan Chan is just a short stroll from the Tschudi Palace.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts for groups

El Museo (Trujillo Museum)

Address: Trujillo, Peru, PE
Spending time at the excellent Trujillo Museum can only further enhance any visit to the city. This rather rustic museum boasts a private collection and eclectic mixture of objects, which include everything from pre-Columbian pieces and replicas, to household appliances, clay figurines and even some rusty old guns. Outside, the botanical gardens provide a tranquil spot to relax, away from the jumble of exhibits, with a rope bridge leading across the Rio Crystales.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:30
Admission: charge

Museo Arqueologico Casinelli (Casinelli Museum)

Address: Avenida Nicolas de Pierola 607, Trujillo, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 044 24 6110
Literally hundreds of fascinating pieces are displayed here and look a little out of place in their unusual setting. Highlights include some whistling pots, which are shaped like birds and produce notes when blown - the curator will likely be happy to demonstrate this if you ask. Various different past cultures are well represented at the Museo Arqueologico Casinelli, including the Chimus, the Huaris, the Incas, the Mochica, the Recuay and also the Salinars.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 13:00, 15:30 to 18:30, Sunday - 10:00 to 13:00, 16:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Museo de Arqueologia de la Universidad Nacional de Trujillo (University Archaeological Museum)

Address: Jiron Junin 682 Trujillo, Trujillo, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 044 24 9322
Whilst the Museo de Arqueologia de la Universidad Nacional de Trujillo many not be particularly large, it is packed with interest. This museum is situated within the 17th-century mansion, La Casa Risco, and contains a variety of fairly recently discovered relics, collected from the Huaca de la Luna. Also of interest are the positively ancient pre-Columbian finds, which date from as long ago as 12,000 BC.
Open hours: Monday - 09:00 to 15:00, Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 13:00, 15:00 to 19:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts for students and children

Palacio Iturregui

Address: Jiron Pizarro 688, Trujillo, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 044 23 4212
This eye-catching mansion is hard to miss, being bright yellow in colour and home to a selection of marble statues from Italy, along with some stylish Moche ceramics and antique furnishings. The Palacio Iturregui itself was built during the 19th century and features traditional civil architecture with a strong Neo-classical feel. A large central courtyard provides plenty of natural light.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge, includes guided tour

Museo de Zoologia (Museum of Zoology)

Address: San Martin 368, Trujillo, Peru, PE
The Museo de Zoologia is located on the western side of the Plaza de Armas and is home to a rather amusing selection of stuffed animals. Whilst the taxidermy here is of a fairly poor standard, it does offer the chance to see some of the many interesting animals native to Peru.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 07:00 to 19:00, Saturday - 08:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge