Hello, my friends!
Yesterday we took a photo tour at the Presbyteral Master Cemetery Museum, located in Barrios Altos, Cercado de Lima.
This photographic tour was something peculiar because we were actually entering a cemetery to take pictures. What is interesting is that this cemetery is the most important and oldest in Peru, and of the biggest in the world. In this post, I will explain the history of this place. On this occasion, we were 2 brave Local Guides who entered this cemetery to carry out this photographic work. 
If there are places capable of creating and feeding urban legends and myths, those are the cemeteries. The mixture of fear, faith, and superstition generates stories that, as time goes by, become entrenched within the collective imaginary. There are people who attend this place seeking divine help. But it is also the preferred place of shamans and sorcerers who supposedly invoke dark and hidden forces. Perhaps it is for this reason that this place is very visited on Halloween and/or at night. The museum offers guided night tours. @AlukardGT
I just created a Google Photo Album That I hope you like: Photowalk: Museo PresbĂtero Maestro
In this album you will find over 100 photos and videos!
I also uploaded several videos on Youtube that describe this very interesting location: Museo Cementerio Presbitero Maestro
You can view a few more related videos on my Youtube Channel as well: My Youtube Channel Marco Rios Pita
Back to the story. This museum was inaugurated in the year 1808 and was the first official cemetery of the city, because before the burials were performed in the churches. The name this place is in honor of its designer, the priest Matias Maestro.
In total there are 766 mausoleums and 92 historical monuments of architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries. In this cemetery are the remains of at least twenty former presidents of our republic. Also, notable characters related to politics, academics, military, writers, painters, composers, architects and engineers. Similarly, there are also family mausoleums of well-known people of Peruvian and Lima history. In recent years, funding is being sought to recover and preserve the most emblematic sculptures of its most illustrious characters.
Crypt of the Heroes
This beautiful building houses the remains of the main Peruvian heroes throughout history, who defended our country in countless battles and fights. In its central part appears the sarcophagus of Marshal Andres Avelino Caceres. There are also the sarcophagi of Almirante Miguel Grau Seminario, our most important national hero of the Pacific War (October 8 is a holiday in Peru in his honor), and Francisco Bolognesi, great Colonel of the Peruvian Army. We only had access to the exteriors, however, there are night visits to the interiors and you can take some spectacular 360-degree photos.
The tomb of the child Ricardito Espiell is perhaps one of the most popular and emblematic of the PresbĂtero Maestro cemetery. But who was this little boy and why is he attributed the quality of miraculous? What is known to date is that his full name was Ricardito Espiell Barrionuevo and that he was the son of the lawyer and secretary of President Manuel Pardo.
He was born on December 10, 1886, and died at age 6, in March 1893. Some myths suggest that he died a victim of yellow fever and even a serious picture of malaria.
According to various testimonies collected throughout this time, its main virtue is to grant wishes around other children or temporary jobs, which has earned it the title of “Miraculous Child” or “Cachuelito Child”.
MarĂa Micaela Villegas and Hurtado de Mendoza (Lima,1748 -1819), known as La Perricholi, was a Peruvian theater singer and actress. He became well known from an early age and his fame reached unusual levels for his artistic ability. In his 20s he began a romance that lasted 14 years with the viceroy Don Manuel de Amat y Junyent, which became the most scandalous relationship of the eighteenth century. Amat made her lover and the center of Lima’s social life. In 1769 they had a son whom they called Manuel. Eventually, Amat was relieved of his position and he left him before returning to Spain numerous properties and inheritances. In her old age, she dedicated himself to prayer.
Friends, I hope you liked this Recap and its history. It is always a pleasure to write in this beautiful community.
Best wishes!
Marco … from PERU!
