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Peru's Gold Musuem a Real Treasure

Two Very Different Galleries and Exhibitions in Pleasant Setting

Apr 18, 2009 Michael Mackey

Peru's Gold Museum with its two very different galleries - one given over to weapons and military artifacts the other showcasing Peru's history in gold - is excellent.

Lima’s Museo de Oro Del Peru or Gold Museum is one of the city's treasures. A pleasant low-rise building located in the low-key but obviously well-to-do Monterrico district, it has two very different galleries with the first one given over to all things military.

Everything is packed tight in a series of interconnected rooms where the lighting is best described as muted. It is very much the museum as attic/treasure chest. Visitors feel overawed, as if going through someone’s private treasures in a house that has been closed up for so long.

Real Gems and Large Collections

There are some real gems. There is a fascinating number of different uniforms and this, rather than Japan, is the place to see full Samurai costumes and armour – 15 alone in one short corridor, and even then they are jostling for space not only with each other but with the large collection. In fact, the only real criticism that can be made of this gallery is that there isn’t enough space or light, or labels, to fully appreciate it all.

All That Gliiters Might Not be Gold

Its probably wise to take a brief rest here at the breezy and pricey outdoor café before tackling the main attraction: the Gold Museum proper.

Whether it is proper is actually open to debate. The Lonely Planet guidebook, a Bible to many travelers, reports a scandal as to how many of the exhibits were actually genuine. Don’t worry, because even if they are not genuine, they are still pretty spectacular and the exhibit still makes the point about how striking various South American civilizations were.

Spread out in a series of largish underground vaults is a large number of gold artefacts from Peru, from Pre-Columbian to modern times. This is a better lit and spaced facility with an immense range of gold objects, although, again, it suffers from a serious lack of labels. Luckily it's the only thing lacking and the only real problem will be taking it all in.

Brave Enough to Wear it

There are large, exquisitely wrought crucifixes from the colonial era that many a bling-obsessed rapper would go on the rampage for, funeral masks of striking simplicity and a robe with fine sheets of gold sewn in that it would outshine even the most beautiful of supermodels brave enough to wear it.

Those interested in history might like to hire an audiotour whilst the rest can just gawk. These can be hired for only US$4 after an entrance fee of 33 soles or US$11. But it is worth it especially as the gift shop in the gallery offers small free coffee and chocolate samples.

Details. Museo de Oro del Peru, Alonso de Molina 1100, Monterrico, Lima. Open Monday to Sunday 11.00am to 7.00pm. Tel 511 345 1292. 33 Soles to enter. Photography prohibited.

The copyright of the article Peru's Gold Musuem a Real Treasure in Art Galleries/Museums is owned by Michael Mackey. Permission to republish Peru's Gold Musuem a Real Treasure in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Gold Museum