# Great Clock of Lima

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Former clock and landmark in Lima, Peru

Monument in Lima, Lima, Peru

Great Clock of Lima 1872 photograph by Eugenio Courret Interactive map of Great Clock of Lima Location Lima, Lima, Peru Coordinates 12°03′51″S 77°02′18″W / 12.06407°S 77.0383°W / -12.06407; -77.0383 Designer Pedro Ruiz Gallo Type Clock Opening date December 6, 1870

The **Great Clock of Lima** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Gran Reloj de Lima*),[1] also known as the **Pedro Ruiz Gallo clock** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Reloj de Pedro Ruiz Gallo*) after [its inventor](/source/Pedro_Ruiz_Gallo), was a monumental [clock](/source/Clock) created by [Pedro Ruiz Gallo](/source/Pedro_Ruiz_Gallo), and which was installed in the [Parque de la Exposición](/source/Parque_de_la_Exposici%C3%B3n) in 1870 for the celebration of the [Exhibition of 1872](/source/Lima_International_Exhibition). The watch disappeared during the [occupation of Lima](/source/Occupation_of_Lima) by the [Chilean Army](/source/Chilean_Army) in the [War of the Pacific](/source/War_of_the_Pacific).[2]

## History

The clock (far right) in the park.

After the [Spanish-South American War](/source/Chincha_Islands_War), colonel and inventor [Pedro Ruiz Gallo](/source/Pedro_Ruiz_Gallo) was able to dedicate himself entirely to the ambitious project of building a great clock for the [Peruvian capital](/source/Lima), which he achieved under the [patronage](/source/Patronage) of then-President [José Balta](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Balta), who appointed him attached to the General Staff and financed his work. To carry out the mechanism, he obtained a budget of [S/.](/source/Peruvian_sol_(1863%E2%80%931985))31,000 from the Peruvian State, to which he added some S/.10,000 from his own pocket.[1][3]

Despite the opposition and criticism that his work received, after 6 years of work he was able to inaugurate his mechanical work on December 6, 1870, at 00:00, a few days before the anniversary of the [Battle of Ayacucho](/source/Battle_of_Ayacucho) was celebrated, before the admiration of the public gathered in the [gardens](/source/Parque_de_la_Exposici%C3%B3n) in front of the [Palacio de la Exposición](/source/Palacio_de_la_Exposici%C3%B3n).[3][4][5][6]

The clock was one of the main attractions of the [International Exhibition](/source/Lima_International_Exhibition) of 1872 held in Lima, where various representative objects of the Andean country were exhibited, as well as machinery that indicated the Peruvian progress generated from the [economic boom](/source/Guano_Era) for the export of [guano](/source/Guano).[7] It remained at the Palace of the Exhibition, which served as its location for ten years, until the [War of the Pacific](/source/War_of_the_Pacific) led to the [occupation of Lima](/source/Occupation_of_Lima) in 1881.

### Theories about its destruction

The clock was exposed in the park for about 10 years. During the [occupation of Lima](/source/Occupation_of_Lima) by the [Chilean Army](/source/Chilean_Army), various facilities such as the [Universidad Mayor de San Marcos](/source/Universidad_Mayor_de_San_Marcos), the [National Library](/source/National_Library_of_Peru) or the Palacio de la Exposición were used as barracks by the invading troops. One of the theories about the fate of the watch suggests that after being disassembled it was taken as [war booty](/source/War_booty) by order of [Patricio Lynch](/source/Patricio_Lynch), however once in [Chile](/source/Chile) it could not be put into operation.[5] According to [Jorge Basadre](/source/Jorge_Basadre), its inventor removed essential parts of the mechanism to render it useless so that the enemy could not rebuild it once it was transferred to [Santiago de Chile](/source/Santiago_de_Chile).[6][2]

Another theory suggests that the clock was not transferred to Chile, but that its machinery was destroyed by the victorious army and its structure used as a home for the officers of the troops stationed in the Parque de la Exposición. Once the troops withdrew, they reduced the invention to ashes.[1][3]

## See also

- [German Tower, Lima](/source/German_Tower%2C_Lima)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LR_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LR_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-LR_1-2) ["Pedro Ruiz Gallo: El feroz relojero que acabó con ejércitos y presidentes"](https://larepublica.pe/cultural/1455790-pedro-ruiz-gallo-feroz-relojero-acabo-ejercitos-presidentes-efemerides-pedro-ruiz-gallo-guerra-pacifico-reloj-parque-exposicion/). *[La República](/source/La_Rep%C3%BAblica_(Peru))*. 2019-04-24.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Tauro_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Tauro_2-1) Tauro del Pino, Alberto (2001). *Enciclopedia ilustrada del Perú: QUI-SAL* (in Spanish). Lima: [Empresa Editora El Comercio S. A.](/source/El_Comercio_(Peru)) pp. 2307–2308. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9972401499](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9972401499).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pino_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pino_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Pino_3-2) Pino, David (2014-06-06). ["El Reloj de la Exposición"](http://www.limalaunica.pe/2014/06/el-reloj-de-la-exposicion.html). *Lima La Única*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Vértiz Cabrejos, Roberto; Telenta de Vértiz, Elizabeth (1994). [*Pedro Ruiz Gallo: una vida consagrada al servicio del Perú*](https://www.biblioteca.une.edu.pe/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=16061&query_desc=an%3A44546) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Lima: Concytec.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Orrego_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Orrego_5-1) Orrego Penagos, José Luis. ["Lima en la década de 1870, una ciudad para el cincuentenario de la Independencia"](https://revistas.ulima.edu.pe/index.php/enlineasgenerales/article/download/2665/2849/0). *[Líneas Generales](/source/Universidad_de_Lima)*. **2** (1). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.26439/en.lineas.generales2018.n002.2665](https://doi.org/10.26439%2Fen.lineas.generales2018.n002.2665).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Basadre_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Basadre_6-1) [Basadre Grohmann, Jorge](/source/Jorge_Basadre) (1998). *Historia de la República del Perú [1822-1933]* (in Spanish). Lima: [Producciones Cantabria S.A.C](/source/El_Comercio_(Peru)). pp. 1600–1601. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-612-306-353-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-612-306-353-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Contreras, Carlos; Cueto, Marcos (2016). "Era del guano. El estado caudillista y la intelectualidad liberal (1845-1879)". *Historia del Perú republicano* (in Spanish). Lima: Editorial Septiembre. p. 23.

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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Great Clock of Lima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Clock_of_Lima) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Clock_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.