Chiclayo, Heroic City, Capital of
Friendship and Tourism
Chiclayo
is a city in northwestern Peru, capital of the homonymous province and the
department of Lambayeque; It is located 13 kilometers from the Pacific coast
and 770 kilometers from the capital of the country. It was founded by Spaniards
in 1720 in a strategic position for the commerce and movement of the people, it
reached the category of village in 1827.
Here
are some details of the city:
1) The
full name is "Santa María de los Valles de Chiclayo". The origin is
imprecise; a version attributes the name to an indigenous called
"Chiclayop" or "Chiclayep" who transported plaster between
the cities of Saña, Lambayeque and Mórrope; another version maintains that a
green fruit called "Chiclayep" or "Chiclayop" grew in
abundance in the Mochica language, meaning "green hanging". It can
also be derived from the Mochica words "Cheqta" which means
"half" and "Yoc" which means "property of".
2) The
city is consecrated to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, a fact that is
represented in the celestial color of the background of the official coat of
arms; It also contains elements related to history, geography and landscape.
The shield was designed by Alfonso Tello Marchena
3) A
well-deserved quality is read on the city's coat of arms. The title of
"Heroic City" was granted by Salaverry in 1835. That year the
province of Chiclayo was created. In the process of Peruvian independence, José
Leonardo Ortiz, a notable Chiclaman declared "Benemérito de la
Patria", supported the project of Lambayeque Juan Manuel Iturregui,
Pascual Saco and other Lambayecan patriots; they contributed troop, weapons,
horses to support José de San Martín.
4) It is
called the "Capital of Friendship", because of the helpful and
friendly nature of its people. The warmth, solidarity, friendship, honesty and
charisma makes visitors feel at home for the treatment they receive from the
people of Chiclayo.
Chiclayo
is perceived as one of the most welcoming in this part of the Peruvian region.
Unfortunately, this quality is being lost due to the increase of bad people,
locals and immigrants. According to the sociologist Dante Guevara (UNPRG), the
way of being of the Chiclayan people is defined in two moments, before and
after the migratory wave. The born chiclayano still retains its primary
characteristics; He is cordial, trusting, friendly and supportive. It may be,
but in reality, not everything is like that; It is also true that many migrants
have these qualities. Even in heaven there are devils (bad chiclayanos), in
hell there are also angels (migrants with the soul of old Chiclayo).
5) It is
the "Capital of Tourism", a name also deserved because in the
surroundings of the city there is a large amount of evidence from the pre-Inca
past; Museums, huacas and other vestiges are places that should be known. A
visit to the Museum of the Lord of Sipan is mandatory.
6) It is
called "The Pearl of the North of Peru". Chiclayo is one of the most
important cities in Peru, with a lot of commercial movement, with a
metropolitan area that includes several neighboring satellite cities in some 30
thousand hectares around. It is linked to Lambayeque, San Jose, Pimentel, Santa
Rosa, Eten, Monsefu, Reque and Pomalca.
7) Music.
Like any northern city that is respected, among the music alluding to its
people, culture, history is the Marinera Norteña.
