{{Short description|Cultural heritage site in Peru}} {{Infobox historic site | name = Grau Square | image = Lima 012.jpg | locmapin = Peru Lima | coordinates = | location = [[Lima]], Peru | area = | built = 1946 | architect = | architecture = | designation1 = World Heritage Site | designation1_offname = Plaza Grau | designation1_type = Non-movable | designation1_criteria = Monument | designation1_date = 1991 | designation1_partof = [[Historic Centre of Lima]] | designation1_number = 500 }} The '''Plaza Grau''' is a [[public square]] located in the [[Historic Centre of Lima|center]] of [[Lima]], [[Peru]]. It is located at the intersection of the [[Vía Expresa Luis Fernán Bedoya Reyes|Paseo de la República]] with the [[Paseo Colón]], [[Miguel Grau Avenue (Lima)|Miguel Grau Avenue]] and the [[Paseo de los Héroes Navales]]. It was named in honor of [[Miguel Grau Seminario]], commander of the ''[[Huáscar (ironclad)|Huáscar]]'' monitor during the [[War of the Pacific]].
==Description== [[File:Plaza Grau - Lima, 1987 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|View in 1987.]] The square has a rectangular shape with rounded vertices, bordered by gardens. In the center the [[Monument to Miguel Grau (Lima)|''Monumento a Miguel Grau Seminario'']] monument stands, made of granite and bronze, the work of the [[Francoist Spain|Spanish]] sculptor [[Victorio Macho]]. It reaches a height of twenty-one meters.
The body of the monument is a four-sided granitic monolith, with vertical stretch marks and stands of ascending rhythms, which, according to the author, symbolizes the land of [[Peru]]. The stands that are seen at their base symbolize the [[Pacific Ocean|sea]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.urp.edu.pe/urp/modules/institutos/invest_mus/escul_monufune.pdf |title=ESCULTURA MONUMENTAL Y FUNERARIA EN LIMA |website=[[Universidad Ricardo Palma]] |last=Castrillón Vizcarra |first=Alfonso |year=1991 |publication-place=Lima |pages=22-23}}</ref> High height of the main face or front, is the sculpture of the hero represented with his sailor uniform and with his arms crossed, between a helm and the anchors of a ship. Under it, on the pedestal, a dedication reads: "To the glory of the great admiral of Peru Miguel Grau, the Millennium Peruvian." On the side faces are symbolic sculptures about stands, representing men who [[Martyr|reach the heights with difficulty]]. In the posterior face there is a commemorative plaque of the [[battle of Angamos]]. And finally, the work is crowned by the allegory of fame, which raises its arms towards the sky in clamor of immortality, and that is driven in a mythical ship by tritones and sirens.
==History== [[File:Miguel Grau Statue Lima Avenida Grau.jpg|thumb|right|Detail of Miguel Grau in his monument located in the middle of the square.]] The original plaza dedicated to Grau was built in [[Callao]] in 1890,<ref name=villa>{{Cite web |url=https://www.monumentalcallao.com/la-plaza-grau |title=La Plaza Grau |website=Monumental Callao |last=Villa |first=Deolinda}}</ref> but was renamed Plaza Emilio San Martín, after Emilio San Martín, who died during the [[War of the Pacific]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marina.mil.pe/es/cultura/heroes/san-martin-pena-emilio/ |title=Guardiamarina SAN MARTÍN Peña, Emilio |website=[[Peruvian Navy|Marina de Guerra del Perú]]}}</ref> Before the memorials to Grau and San Martín, the plaza was originally known as Constitution Square ({{langx|es|Plaza de la Constitución}}) and Victory Square ({{langx|es|Plaza de la Victoria}}).<ref name=villa/>
The square was inaugurated on October 28, 1946, during the government of President [[José Luis Bustamante y Rivero]]. Towards the side of the Paseo Colón, a tribune was enabled for the guests (officials, diplomats, etc.), which were received by a special commission, chaired by the [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] Arturo Jiménez Pacheco.<ref name=navy>{{Cite web |url=https://revistademarina.pe/la-palabra-y-la-piedra-discursos-durante-la-inauguracion-del-monumento-del-almirante-miguel-grau-en-el-centro-de-lima/ |title=La Palabra y la Piedra. – Discursos durante la inauguración del Monumento del Almirante Miguel Grau, en el Centro de Lima |website=Revista de Marina |last=Laguerre Kleimann |first=Miguel}}</ref>
The scenario featured members of the [[Peruvian Armed Forces|Armed Forces]], [[Civil Guard (Peru)|Civil Guard]] and Battalions representating schools of [[Lima]] and [[Callao]]. The line was in command of Marshal [[Eloy Ureta]], accompanied by its General Staff: General [[Manuel A. Odría]], Luis Solari, Juan de Dios Párcos and Manuel Forero.<ref name=navy/>
The ceremony began with a [[minute of silence]] in memory of the ''hero of [[Battle of Angamos|Angamos]]'', followed by an [[air show|air exhibition]]. After the exhibition, President Bustamante and Rivero, accompanied by the [[mayor of Lima]] and veterans of the [[War of the Pacific]], went to the foot of the monument. Frigate [[Manuel Elías Bonnemaison]], the last survivor of the ''Huáscar'' crew, was responsible for decorting the veil that covered the sculpture. Before Grau's effigy, President Bustamante read in a speech that culminated as follows:<ref name=navy/>
{{quote|Admiral: The dimension of your feat has enlarged over time. In the distant perspective we are angry a symbol of contours giants and present teachings. You had limited and fragile means; But your breath knew how to give them effectiveness and greatness. Your tiny ship has grown, Admiral; And there is a subtle fire power that envy the cannons in the austere silence of the dismantled roofs. Your sacrifice was not unsuccessful or a vain gesture of immolation of those who fell into the brega. Your shadow Augusta presides over our seas; And there is an altar for your bust in each ship of our fleet; and a corner of emotion in each chest of our sailors. The Navy of Peru figures its pride in your memory and the nation, spiritually gathered at the foot of this monument, tells you with an accent of shocking gratitude:
Glory to you, Admiral!|author=José Luis Bustamante y Rivero, October 28, 1946}}
==See also== *[[Paseo de los Héroes Navales]] *[[Plaza Mayor, Lima]] *[[Plaza San Martín, Lima]] *[[Plaza Bolognesi]]
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Landmarks in Lima}}
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[[Category:Squares in Lima]] [[Category:1946 in Peru]] [[Category:War of the Pacific]] [[Category:Lima District]]