# Balconies of Lima > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Balconies_of_Lima > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Balconies_of_Lima.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balconies_of_Lima > Source revision: 1331006787 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Spanish Colonial architectural features in Peru You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Spanish. (January 2009) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Spanish article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must follow the LLM translation guideline, revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Spanish Wikipedia article at [[:es:Balcones de Lima]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated|es|Balcones de Lima}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation. Facade of the Colonial [Palacio de Torre Tagle](/source/Palacio_de_Torre_Tagle) with porches and carved stone arches and richly art carved wooden balconies Colonial balconies of the [Casa de Osambela](/source/Casa_de_Osambela) The **balconies of Lima** are items of [cultural heritage](/source/Cultural_heritage) built during the [Viceroyalty of Peru](/source/Viceroyalty_of_Peru) and the [Republic of Peru](/source/History_of_Peru#Republican_era). Most of these balconies are of the Viceroyalty period, built in the late 17th and 18th centuries, are located in the [Historic Center of Lima](/source/Historic_Centre_of_Lima). They were adapted for residential purposes and have influenced the lives of many Peruvian scholars such as the 19th century writer [Ricardo Palma](/source/Ricardo_Palma). The balconies have been crucial in UNESCO's declaration of the Historic Center of Lima as a [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site).[1] ## Colonial architecture [Peruvian colonial architecture](/source/Peruvian_colonial_architecture) in the [Viceroyalty of Peru](/source/Viceroyalty_of_Peru) developed in the 16th to the 19th century, when Latin America was conquered by the Spaniards.[2] Balconies in Lima were built in the [Renaissance](/source/Renaissance_architecture), [Baroque](/source/Baroque_architecture), [Neoclassical](/source/Neoclassical_architecture) and [Neo-Baroque](/source/Baroque_Revival_architecture) styles and had Mediterranean, Moorish and Andalusian influences. The Renaissance and Baroque styles emerged as a result of European influence. The Renaissance idea that the nobility of a building characterized a city's grandiosity permeated in Lima's architecture.[3] Baroque architecture of this period, characterized by exuberance and heavy ornamentation, is prevalent as well. In the 18th century, the Rococo style permeated in Lima, as a result of French influence. This style embraced ornamentation and playful themes. Casa Goyeneche, built in 1863, is noted for its French influence. The Moors also influenced Peruvian architecture. Closed wooden balconies, also called miradores, were inherited from the [Mashrabiya](/source/Mashrabiya) tradition of [Moorish architecture](/source/Moorish_architecture), as the Moors occupied Southern Spain.[2] The term *mirar* in Spanish translates to “to look”, indicating that the balconies give the residents an extensive view of the scenery (Bloom and Blair). However, Moorish styles became less popular when modern styles were adopted in Lima.[4] Office building with Balconies in Lima, this one in particular is Neo-Colonial. ## Construction The main features of the balconies are the lattice, still and baluster. The wooden balconies projecting at upper levels also allow for privacy and air circulation, an essential feature for buildings in warmer countries. Non-rounded balconies were introduced in Spain in the 18th century. Balconies of the 15th to the 17th century are noted for their openness, while balconies built after that period are more closed. Sevillan [azulejos](/source/Azulejo) and mosaics are used in the construction of the balconies. ## Social function In the 18th century, viceroys would stand on the balconies to address the colonists. In churches, the balconies also provided abbesses the chance to observe [Mass](/source/Mass_(liturgy)) while avoid being seen.[2] Balconies merge the interior and exterior spaces of a city, a feature borrowed from [Islamic architecture](/source/Islamic_architecture). The balconies in Lima have been compared to "streets in the sky" and they function as a link between private homes and Limeño streets. [Antonio de la Calancha](/source/Antonio_de_la_Calancha) and [Juan Meléndez](/source/Juan_Mel%C3%A9ndez_Vald%C3%A9s) first coined the term, writing, "They are so many and too large that they seem to be streets on the air."[4] Although the balconies were originally built to shield women of nobility from voyeuristic gazes, they were also sites of gossip and amorous encounters.[4] The balconies gave the women a chance to see the city but remain hidden at the same time. Historian [Charles Walker](/source/Charles_F._Walker) has interpreted the balconies as a manifestation of social power dynamics, as they illustrate the distinction between individuals of different classes. In the 18th century, churches and houses with grandiose balconies were indicative of affluent owners, even though the balconies were built in similar styles and materials.[3] ## Restoration efforts ### Impact of earthquakes The earthquakes of 1655, 1687, 1746 and 1940 destroyed many of the old colonial structures in Lima designed by [Francisco Pizarro](/source/Francisco_Pizarro)[4] and transformed the city's politics and architecture.[*[dubious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Accuracy_dispute#Disputed_statement) – [discuss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Balconies_of_Lima#Dubious)*] Sturdy and less elaborate styles became increasingly popular after 1746 in order to ensure the stability of buildings.[3] After the earthquake of 1940, Bruno Roselli, a Florentine art history professor known as the "defender of balconies", endeavored to salvage numerous balconies, many of which were of the 17th and 18th century styles.[5] So committed was he to their salvation that he compared the balconies' importance to that of the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and the lions in Trafalgar Square.[6] However, he was not successful. ### *Adopt a Balcony* The restoration of Lima's balconies was spearheaded by Alberto Andrade, Lima's mayor from 1996 to 2002. His *Adopt a Balcony* program saw various foreign embassies, companies and individuals partaking in preserving the balconies in exchange for tax breaks. These efforts have revived Lima's consciousness of its identity as the a *City of Balconies*, a term first coined by architect Adolfo Vargas.[7] The abundance of these balconies adds to the particular harmony and originality to this part of the city. ## List of notable Colonial palaces with Lima balconies Casa Goyeneche - [Palacio de Torre Tagle](/source/Palacio_de_Torre_Tagle) - [Casa de Osambela](/source/Casa_de_Osambela) - Across the street from Torre Tagle, [Casa Goyeneche](/source/Casa_Goyeneche) (also called [Casa de Rada](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Casa_de_Rada&action=edit&redlink=1)) is another impressive 18th-century mansion, with distinct French influences. Other interesting similar sites that are nearby (in downtown Lima) are: - [Casa Negreiros](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Casa_Negreiros&action=edit&redlink=1), [Jr. Azángaro](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_Az%C3%A1ngaro) 532 - [Casa de las Trece Monedas](/source/Casa_de_las_Trece_Monedas), [Jr. Ancash](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_%C3%81ncash) 536 - [Casa Barbieri](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Casa_Barbieri&action=edit&redlink=1), [Jr. Callao](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_Callao) at [Jr. Rufino Torrico](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_Rufino_Torrico) - [Casa de Pilatos](/source/Casa_de_Pilatos_(Lima)), [Jr. Áncash](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_%C3%81ncash) 390 - [Casa la Riva](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Casa_la_Riva&action=edit&redlink=1), [Jr. Ica](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_Ica) 426 ## In popular culture [Mario Vargas Llosa](/source/Mario_Vargas_Llosa)'s play, *The Madmen of the Balconies*, is centered around the balconies. Its protagonist, Aldo Brunelli attempts to salvage them from destruction. Evelyn Fishburn has noted that the play provides a good overview of the defenders of history and those who push for modernism.[6] Brunelli's name is an amalgamation of Bruno Roselli. The *City of Balconies* is the setting to Jim Crace's novel *Six*, published by Viking in 2003. The city in the novel is imaginary. ## See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Balconies in Lima](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Balconies_in_Lima). - [Balconies of Cusco](/source/Balconies_of_Cusco) - [Balcony](/source/Balcony) - [Bay window](/source/Bay_window) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. ["Historic Centre of Lima"](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/500). *whc.unesco.org*. Retrieved 2017-04-23. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) Kelly, Donnahue-Wallace (2008). *Art and Architecture of Viceregal Latin America, 1521-1821*. University of New Mexico Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0826334596](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0826334596). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_3-2) Walker, Charles (2003). "The Upper Classes and Their Upper Stories: Architecture and the Aftermath of the Lima Earthquake of 1746". *Hispanic American Historical Review*. **83** (1): 53–82. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1215/00182168-83-1-53](https://doi.org/10.1215%2F00182168-83-1-53). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [144925044](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:144925044). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_4-3) Smith, Sabine; Bley, Miriam (2012). ["Streets in the Sky: The Balconies of Lima and the Road to Intercultural Competence"](http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jgi/vol7/iss2/11/). *Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective*. **7** (2 Pervuvian Trajectories of Sociocultural Transformation). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Bruno Roselli, el defensor de los balcones"](http://elcomercio.pe/blog/huellasdigitales/2015/09/bruno-roselli-el-defensor-de-los-balcones). *El Comercio.pe* (in Spanish). Retrieved 2017-04-23. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_6-1) Kristal, Efrain; King, John, eds. (2011). *The Cambridge Companion to Mario Vargas Llosa edited by Efrain Kristal*. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/ccol9780521864244](https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fccol9780521864244). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781139050647](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781139050647). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Elton, Catherine (September 2000). "Recovering the Regal Splendor of Lima". *Americas*. v t e Lima landmarks Pre-Columbian buildings Huaca Huallamarca Huaca Pucllana Huaca Santa Catalina Pachacamac Puruchuco Colonial buildings Balconies of Lima Basilica and Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced Monument Plazoleta Basilica and Convent of San Francisco Catacombs Basilica and Convent of San Pedro Basilica of Santo Domingo Plazuela Casa de Aliaga Casa de Divorciadas Casa de Osambela Casa de Pilatos Casa del Oidor Casa Goyeneche Casa Hacienda Punchauca Casa Matusita Casa O'Higgins Casa Riva-Agüero Casona of the National University of San Marcos Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of Art Theatre Basilica Cathedral of Lima Sanctuary Cementerio Presbítero Matías Maestro Cripta de los Héroes Church of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Church of Saint Catherine of Siena Church of Saint Lazarus Church of the Good Death Church of the Holy Christ of Wonders Church of the Orphans Church of Our Lady of Copacabana Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church of Our Lady of Patronage Church of Saint Anne Church of Saint Augustine Church of Saint Liberata Church of Saint Mary Magdalene Convent of Our Lady of the Angels Cuartel Barbones Fort of Santa Catalina Iglesia de la Recoleta Mogrovejo Hospital Monastery of Saint Rose of Lima National Mint of Peru Palacio de la Magdalena Palacio de Torre Tagle Panteón de los Próceres Plaza de toros de Acho Real Felipe Fortress Royal College of the University of San Marcos Royal Hospital of Saint Andrew Sanctuary and Monastery of Las Nazarenas Sanctuary of Saint Rose of Lima Seminario de Lima St. Clare's Monastery Mill St. Sebastian's Church Trinitarian Church Walls of Lima Other touristic buildings Archbishop's Palace Association of Amateur Artists Atlas Building Bar Cordano Basílica María Auxiliadora BBVA Building Begonias Tower Casa Arenas Loayza Casa de Correos y Telégrafos Casa de las Trece Monedas Casa del Pueblo Casa Fernandini, Lima Casa Fernandini, Santa María del Mar Casa Roosevelt Casa Rusa Casa Sal y Rosas Casa Suárez Chinatown Arch Chocavento Tower Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken Club de la Unión Club Nacional Country Club Lima Hotel Cristo del Pacífico Delfines Hotel & Convention Center Desamparados station Diez de Octubre School Eduardo Dibos Colosseum El Ángel Cemetery Gamarra Government Palace Obelisk Gran Hotel Bolívar Gran Hotel Maury Guadalupe College Hermitage of Barranco Hospital Civil de la Misericordia Hotel Crillón Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Monument Institute of Hygiene Interbank Building Javier Alzamora Valdez Building JW Marriott Hotel Lima La Atarjea La Colmena Building La Rosa Náutica Larcomar Teatro La Plaza Library of Congress Lima Civic Center Legislative Palace Lima Convention Center Lima Stock Exchange Building Luis Gálvez Chipoco Stadium Mesa Redonda Monumental Stadium Morro Solar War Monument Mosque of Lima National Geographic Institute National Library of Peru National Maternal Perinatal Institute National Stadium of Peru Palacio de la Exposición Palacio de Miraflores Palacio Municipal Palace of Justice Pan-American Athletes' Village Petroperú Building Public Ministry of Peru Quinta Heeren Quinta Leuro Quinta Presa Rospigliosi Castle Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus Church Sheraton Lima Historic Center Sinagoga 1870 Sinagoga Sharón The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center Torre Banco de la Nación Museums and theatres Aeronautical Museum Bodega y Quadra Museum Canout Theatre Casa Grau Naval Museum Combatants of the Morro de Arica Museum DIRCOTE Museum Gold Museum of Peru and Arms of the World Gran Teatro Nacional José Carlos Mariátegui Museum Larco Museum Lima Art Museum Metropolitan Museum Morro Solar Planetarium Municipal Theatre Museum Museum of Congress and the Inquisition Museum of Contemporary Art Museum of the Brain Museum of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru Museum of Elections and Democracy Museum of Italian Art Museum of Natural History National Afro-Peruvian Museum National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History National Museum National Museum of Peruvian Culture Naval Museum Pinacotheca of Lima Teatro Colón Teatro Municipal Teatro Peruano Japonés Teatro Segura Squares and promenades Cinco esquinas Jirón de la Unión Pasaje Olaya Monument Pasaje Santa Rosa Pizarro statue Stone of Taulichusco Paseo de los Héroes Navales Las llamas La yunta Paseo Colón Columbus Statue Pizza Blvd. Plaza de la Bandera Plaza Bolívar Plaza Bolognesi Plaza de la Democracia Plaza Dos de Mayo Plaza Francia Statue of Liberty Plaza Grau Monument Plaza Italia Plaza José Faustino Sánchez Carrión Plaza Manco Cápac Monument Plaza Mayor Fountain Plaza Perú Plaza Ramón Castilla Monument Plaza San Martín Lamp of the Three Graces Plazuela de las Artes Plazuela del Teatro Monument Parks and zoos Alameda Chabuca Granda Alameda de los Descalzos Museum Bridge of Sighs Campo de Marte Monument Costa Verde Pan-American Complex El Olivar Friendship Park Cultural Centre Museum Heroes of Independence Park Huachipa Zoo Lima Golf Club Malecón de Miraflores Love Park Villena Bridge Medicinal Botanical Garden Kennedy Park Lachay National Reserve Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge Parque de la Exposición Fountain Parque de La Muralla Parque de la Reserva Parque de las Leyendas Paseo de Aguas Plazuela Chabuca Granda Monument Reducto № 2 Museum Reducto № 5 University Park Clock Education Antonio Ruiz de Montoya University Cayetano Heredia University Federico Villarreal National University National Superior Autonomous School of Fine Arts Cultural Centre National University of Engineering National University of San Marcos Officers' School of the National Police of Peru Peruvian University of Applied Sciences Pontifical Catholic University of Peru Raúl Porras Barrenechea Institute Ricardo Palma University Technological University of Peru University of Engineering and Technology Campus University of Lima Health Archbishop Loayza National Hospital Central Military Hospital Dos de Mayo National Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital National Institute of Child Health National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases San Bartolomé National Hospital Víctor Larco Herrera Hospital Nearby areas with beaches Ancón Callao Base Port Chancay Port Chorrillos La Herradura Miraflores La Pampilla Pucusana Former Banco Comercial Barranco Lake Barranco Zoo Cabildo of Lima Casa Alcántara Casa Marcionelli Casa Oechsle Casa Tenaud Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken Church of Saint Mary of Charity Cine Tauro El Sexto Prison Gate of Lima Giacoletti Building Great Clock of Lima Hipódromo de San Felipe Hipódromo de Santa Beatriz Lima Penitentiary Limatambo Airport Limatambo Building Marsano Palace Moorish Arch Museo de la Nación National Stadium San Jorge Prison San Martín barracks Venetian Palace Saint Paul's College Viceregal Palace v t e Spanish Colonial architecture articles Notable historic centers Agaña Antigua Guatemala Albuquerque Arequipa Bogotá Campeche Cartagena de Indias Cebú Cienfuegos Coro Cuenca Cuernavaca Cusco Granada Guanajuato Havana Iloílo La Paz León Los Ángeles Lima Malabo Malolos Manila Mexico City Mompox Morelia New Orleans Oaxaca Old Panamá Panamá City Popayán Puebla Quito Saint Augustine San Antonio San Diego San Fernando San Francisco San Juan San Luis Potosí San Miguel de Allende Santa Cruz de la Sierra Santa Fe Santiago de Chile Santiago de Cuba Santo Domingo Sucre Taal Tayabas Trujillo Veracruz Vigan Zacatecas Zamboanga Spanish missions List of Spanish missions Lists of buildings Oldest Cathedrals Argentina Bolivia Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador Guam Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Puerto Rico United States Arizona California Florida Louisiana Texas Uruguay Venezuela Churches and monasteries Baroque Churches of the Philippines Bohol Chiloé Mendicant monasteries in Mexico Popocatépetl Fortifications Presidio Caribbean coast of Panama Coasts of Chile Philippines Santo Domingo Bridges and roads Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Tayabas Other building types Alhóndiga Bahay na bato Balconies of Lima Bullring Convent Estancia Hacienda Haciendas in the Valley of Ameca Cabildo Colonial universities in Hispanic America Colonial universities in the Philippines Plaza Architecture types Baroque Andean Churrigueresque Earthquake Mexican Chilotan Monterey Colonial Neoclassical Renaissance Rococo Territorial Modern Revival styles California Churrigueresque Revival Mission Revival Spanish Colonial Revival Territorial Revival --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Balconies of Lima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balconies_of_Lima) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balconies_of_Lima?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.