# Democracy Square (Peru)

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Cultural heritage site in Peru

This article is about the plaza in Lima. For the plaza in Uruguay, see [Democracy Square](/source/Democracy_Square).

Democracy Square Interactive map of Democracy Square Location Lima, Peru History Built 2006 UNESCO World Heritage Site Official name Plaza de la Democracia Type Non-movable Criteria Monument Designated 1991 Part of Historic Centre of Lima Reference no. 500

**Democracy Square** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Plaza de la Democracia*) is a [public square](/source/Public_square) in the [Historic Centre of Lima](/source/Historic_Centre_of_Lima), [Peru](/source/Peru). It is located on the former site of the [Bank of the Nation](/source/Bank_of_the_Nation_(Peru)) Building, which burned down in the year 2000 during the [Four Quarters March](/source/Four_Quarters_March).[1] The park's address is 1045 Nicolás de Piérola Avenue.[2]

In 2023, the [Metropolitan Municipality of Lima](/source/Metropolitan_Municipality_of_Lima) approved that the square be renamed after [Luis Giampietri](/source/Luis_Giampietri).[3]

## Overview

The square is located in the [Historic Centre of Lima](/source/Historic_Centre_of_Lima), one block away from the [Plaza San Martín](/source/Plaza_San_Mart%C3%ADn%2C_Lima) and one block away from the [University Park](/source/University_Park%2C_Lima). The headquarters of the [National Jury of Elections](/source/National_Jury_of_Elections) (JNE) are located in front of the park on [Nicolás de Piérola avenue](/source/Avenida_Nicol%C3%A1s_de_Pi%C3%A9rola). The park features a small [monolith](/source/Monolith) in its centre with the park's name.

The park is used for public events, such as [book fairs](/source/Book_fair),[2] and protests, such as the [2022 Peruvian economic protests](/source/2022_Peruvian_economic_protests)[4][5] or the [2022–2023 Peruvian protests](/source/2022%E2%80%932023_Peruvian_protests)[6]

## History

### Original building (1962–2000)

Main article: [Banco Comercial (1962–2000)](/source/Banco_Comercial_(1962%E2%80%932000))

The plaza was formerly the location of a building that housed the *Banco Comercial del Perú* and later the [*Banco de la Nación*](/source/Bank_of_the_Nation_(Peru)).[7] The building was designed by Peruvian architect [Enrique Seoane Ros](/source/Enrique_Seoane_Ros), and built by *Flores & Costa, S.A.*, a Peruvian construction firm.[7] On July 28, 2000,[8][9] amid the protests that surrounded the building and the centre of Lima known as the [Four Quarters March](/source/Four_Quarters_March), an explosion and fire on the building's third floor compromised the building's structural integrity[10] and killed six security guards.[11] The explosion was reportedly caused by undercover agents acting under orders of [Vladimiro Montesinos](/source/Vladimiro_Montesinos).[9] The intent was to paint the protests in a negative light, and to link them to terrorist groups [Shining Path](/source/Shining_Path) and [MRTA](/source/Tupac_Amaru_Revolutionary_Movement).

### Plaza (2006–present)

The current plaza differed from its original designs but was built and completed, being inaugurated on July 27, 2006. The inauguration ceremony was headed by now President [Alejandro Toledo](/source/Alejandro_Toledo), who had participated in the 2000 march. His speech during the event referenced the fire and his [anti-Fujimorist](/source/Anti-Fujimorism) stance, referring to [Alberto Fujimori](/source/Alberto_Fujimori)'s government as tyrannical. Kurt Burneo, the bank's president at the time of both the fire and the ceremony, was present in the event.[12]

## See also

- [Torre Banco de la Nación](/source/Torre_Banco_de_la_Naci%C3%B3n), which replaced the bank's former building

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Hamann Mazuré, Johanna (2012). ["Lima: espacio público en transición. La plaza de la democracia 2006"](https://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/waterfront/article/view/18757). *On the w@terfront* (21: Public Art. Urban Design. Civic Participation. Urban Regeneration): 83–96.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-feria_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-feria_2-1) ["Municipalidad de Lima realiza Feria del Libro Viejo"](https://www.munlima.gob.pe/2018/10/28/municipalidad-de-lima-realiza-feria-del-libro-viejo/). *[Municipalidad de Lima](/source/Municipalidad_de_Lima)*. 2018-10-28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Salinas, Camila (2023-10-19). ["Plaza de la Democracia en el centro de Lima se llamará Luis Giampietri"](https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2023/10/19/plaza-de-la-democracia-en-el-centro-de-lima-se-llamara-parque-luis-alejandro-giampietri-municipalidad-de-lima-rafael-lopez-aliaga-673360). *[La República](/source/La_Rep%C3%BAblica)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Vándalos destruyen estación del Metropolitano e intentan ingresar a la sede del Jurado Nacional de Elecciones"](https://rpp.pe/lima/policiales-crimenes/inmovilizacion-social-vandalos-destruyen-estacion-del-metropolitano-e-intentan-ingresar-a-la-sede-del-jne-noticia-1397774). *[RPP Noticias](/source/Radio_Programas_del_Per%C3%BA)*. 2022-04-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Pedro Castillo pide a simpatizantes ser tolerantes y no caer en provocaciones"](https://elperuano.pe/noticia/124606-pedro-castillo-pide-a-simpatizantes-ser-tolerantes-y-no-caer-en-provocaciones). *[El Peruano](/source/El_Peruano)*. 2021-07-14.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Así amaneció Lima luego de violentas protestas y enfrentamientos entre manifestantes y la PNP"](https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/01/20/asi-amanecio-lima-luego-de-violentas-protestas-y-enfrentamientos-entre-manifestantes-y-la-pnp/). *[Infobae](/source/Infobae)*. 2023-01-20.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-building_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-building_7-1) ["BANCO COMERCIAL"](https://cammp.ulima.edu.pe/edificios/banco-comercial/). *[Instituto de Investigación - Universidad de Lima](/source/University_of_Lima)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["El cuerpo de bomberos voluntarios del Perú en la historia"](https://andina.pe/agencia/galeria.aspx?GaleriaId=5134&FotoId=548106). *[Andina](/source/Andina_(news_agency))*. 2018-12-05.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RPPNov16_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RPPNov16_9-1) ["Estos fueron los incendios más devastadores en Lima en el siglo XXI"](https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/estos-fueron-los-incendios-mas-devastadores-en-lima-en-el-siglo-xxi-noticia-1003544?ref=rpp). *[RPP Noticias](/source/Radio_Programas_del_Per%C3%BA)*. 2016-11-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** "Sí, hubo explosión: Ocurrió en el tercer piso y provocó caida parcial del edificio del Banco de la Nación". *[La República](/source/La_Rep%C3%BAblica_(Peru))*. 2000-08-13. p. 3. La explosión en el tercer piso habría provocado la destrucción de las paredes, el rompimiento de las columnas y el desmoronamiento de los techos. El incendio no pudo causar tal desastre.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10y_11-0)** ["Sentencian a 10 años de prisión efectiva a Montesinos por muerte de vigilantes del Banco de la Nación"](https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia.aspx?id=250747). *[Andina](/source/Andina_(news_agency))*. 2009-08-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [""Nunca más la muerte", enfatiza Toledo al inaugurar Plaza de la Democracia"](http://portal.andina.pe/edpespeciales/especiales/2006/julio/fiestaspatrias/27jul025.html). *[Andina](/source/Andina_(news_agency))*. 2006-07-26.

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

[12°03′08″S 77°02′00″W / 12.0522°S 77.0332°W / -12.0522; -77.0332](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Democracy_Square_(Peru)&params=12.0522_S_77.0332_W_type:landmark_region:PE)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Democracy Square (Peru)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Square_(Peru)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Square_(Peru)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.