History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

Today is voting day for Peruvians! 🇵🇪

This time, we’re not electing a president, but regional and municipal authorities. Every four years, Peruvians are required to choose our local and regional leaders for the next four years—and yes, voting is compulsory. If you don’t vote, you can receive a fine ranging from S/27.50 to S/110, depending on the poverty level of your district.

Peruvians traditionally vote on Sundays, and for many people, election day becomes a bit of a family tradition. After voting, it’s common to visit relatives, have lunch together at a local restaurant, and then, later in the evening, wait for the “flash electoral”—the first unofficial projections that give us an idea of who might be the winner.

Today was also a beautiful Lima day: sunny, humid, and hot. It already feels like summer, even though we’re just beginning spring! ☀️🌴

How was your Sunday?

1 week ago |[YT] | 8

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

Lima’s Hidden Colonial Hospital: A New Archaeological Discovery

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of visiting the newest archaeological discovery in Lima’s Historic Center: the remains of the old **Hospital del Espíritu Santo de los Mareantes**—a 17th-century hospital run by seafarers, for seafarers. The hospital was so closely associated with the maritime community that it once gave its name to the street in front of it: Calle del Espíritu Santo, or “Street of the Holy Spirit.”
We could describe this colonial hospital as a kind of private healthcare institution, considered extremely necessary among Lima’s growing community of sailors, who were mainly Spanish. Back in colonial times, hospitals were not necessarily seen simply as places where people went to recover. They were also places where the sick could receive care and, when recovery was no longer possible, where they could die peacefully and with dignity.
Many of these colonial hospitals had cemeteries within their grounds, and this was also the case here. Human remains have recently been found in what appears to have been part of the hospital’s patio. But I’ll come back to that in a moment.
The construction of the hospital dates back to the 1570s, and attached to it was a church that no longer survives. This church is particularly interesting because of its connection to Saint Rose of Lima. Rose was a neighbor of the block, and tradition tells us that she used to listen to the sermons from the church from her own garden.
Like much of Lima, the hospital was repeatedly affected by earthquakes. Some of these earthquakes partially damaged the building, but the institution managed to continue receiving donations and caring for patients.
Then came the devastating earthquake of October 28, 1746, one of the most destructive earthquakes in Lima’s history. It devastated much of the city and almost completely destroyed the nearby port of Callao.
The Hospital del Espíritu Santo never fully recovered from this disaster. The viceroy at the time even suggested relocating the hospital to Bellavista, a newly planned neighborhood intended to house many of the homeless survivors of the destruction of Callao, as well as institutions from central Lima that could not be reconstructed.
But there was a problem with this seemingly simple solution: many of the professionals needed to run the hospital lived in central Lima, and they did not want to make the several-hour journey on horseback to their new workplace every day.
Eventually, the hospital building was reconstructed. However, by the 1790s, the hospital finally closed, leaving the property available for other institutions, including schools and offices.
One of the biggest changes to the layout of this part of Lima came much later, in 1945 when Avenida Tacna was created over a series of narrow, colonial-era streets.
The construction of this new major avenue came at a great cost. Numerous buildings, homes, and churches were demolished or altered to make way for the wider road. One of the most famous examples is the façade of the Church of Saint Rose of Lima, which originally faced the street. Part of the church was cut back to widen the avenue.
And this is just one of the many layers of history hidden beneath the modern streets of Lima.
Once we enter the archaeological site, we find some fascinating surprises.
First, the archaeological remains were actually spared from complete destruction because they were preserved underneath a garden. What has been recovered are the foundations of the complex, surviving in some areas up to about one meter in height.
We can still see the original construction materials and the combination of two different building techniques: regular fired bricks and adobe, the traditional mud-brick construction so characteristic of colonial Lima.
As we walk through the site, we can also identify the location of the church and the section of the hospital, which were built directly next to each other.
But perhaps the most striking feature is the cobblestone floor at what was once the entrance to the hospital. Right there, we can see an extraordinary six-petaled flower design made with the stones.
This symbol is particularly interesting because the six-petaled flower is associated with ancient Judeo-Christian traditions and has sometimes been connected to the symbolism of the Star of David. Its presence here opens an intriguing window into the cultural and religious symbolism of colonial Lima.
From here, we enter what was once the hospital’s patio, one of the most archaeologically productive areas of the site.
Four burials belonging to four colonial residents of Lima were discovered in this area. What appear to be reconstructions of these burials are now being displayed at the archaeological site, giving visitors a much better idea of how these burials may have looked.
And very close to the burial area, we can also see one of the most beautiful colonial tiles I have ever seen in Lima, still preserved in the original flooring.
The site is fascinating not only because of what has already been uncovered, but also because of what may still be waiting to be discovered. There is even a partially exposed well, giving us another glimpse into the daily life of the people who once lived and worked here.
And hopefully, this is just the beginning. More archaeological research will likely take place, and more of the site may eventually be conserved and opened for visitors.
I want to take this opportunity to thank ProLIMA and the Municipality of Lima for bringing attention to this important part of our heritage, for their conservation efforts, and for their tireless work defending and preserving the historic patrimony of Lima.
And here is the best part: visiting this archaeological site is completely free! It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. So, if you are in Lima, don't miss the opportunity to come and see it for yourself.
And finally, if you enjoy what I do and would like to help me create more content like this, please consider becoming a **Patreon supporter** of the channel.
With a small monthly contribution—the equivalent of about one coffee—you can help me continue creating posts, videos, and Shorts about Peruvian history in English, with the professional quality and passion that I try to bring to every story.
I’ll leave the link below, where you can also find access to a recording of the Live Walking tour I did to this site, and hundreds of live tours and exclusive content.
Thank you so much for your support, and I’ll see you in the next one!
🌺 Watch MEMBERS ONLY replays of my previous live events on Patreon: www.patreon.com/adventuroustravelguide
🌸 You can also support by donating on PayPal—any amount is welcome: www.paypal.com/paypalme/vanessavasquezguide See less
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1 week ago |[YT] | 3

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

🏰✨ You decided... so we're going LIVE on YouTube! ✨🏰
Thank you to everyone who voted and shared your preference. Your voices were heard, and next week's adventure will be on YouTube!

Join me as we explore one of Peru's most fascinating and mysterious landmarks:

🏰 Castillo de Chancay

📅 Wednesday, July 23
🕙 10:00 AM (Peru Time)

Whether you've visited before or have always wanted to explore it, I'd love for you to join me live. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and let's uncover the history of this remarkable place together!

🎥 See you on YouTube!

2 months ago |[YT] | 4

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

During the world pandemic, my bicycle became my way of life. For nearly two years, I went everywhere on it—streets quiet, time slower, and adventures shared virtually on Heygo. This photo brings back so many memories: riding through the city with my little daughter safely tucked into her special baby seat, discovering that even in uncertain times, simple moments could feel magical.
Did you also pick up a new habit during the pandemic… or return to an old one? 😊

#PandemicMemories #BikeLife #Throwback2020 #SimpleJoy #MotherhoodMoments #LifeOnTwoWheels #MemoriesThatMatter

8 months ago |[YT] | 4

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

Hello my dear supporters and friends,
I’ll be hosting two very special virtual tours on January 18 and 19 — Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) on Facebook— and it would be wonderful to have you join me.
Both tours will take place in the afternoon here in Peru 🎉, so I hope this time works well for those who can’t usually attend my morning tours.
I’m so excited and can’t wait to share these places with you!

Ollantaytambo Tour : www.facebook.com/share/1FCpoVTEgC/
Aguas Calientes town Tour: www.facebook.com/share/17zd1hYmcm/

8 months ago |[YT] | 4

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

Dear friends,
This event will be postponed by one day. My trip to Waqrapukara was quite demanding, and I need a bit of rest after this one (a reminder to myself that I’m not a teenager anymore 😄).
I look forward to seeing you on December 31st so we can celebrate together the last day of 2025.

www.facebook.com/share/1HCiz9MhqJ/

9 months ago |[YT] | 0

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

Hey amigos, I'll be streaming next Tuesday dec 30th on Facebook from Cusco, Hope to have the pleasure of your company. Here is the link to join:

www.facebook.com/share/17yPmueHGY/

9 months ago |[YT] | 4

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

Hey amigos, I'll be streaming next Tuesday dec 30th on Facebook from Cusco, Hope to have the pleasure of your company. Here is the link to join:

www.facebook.com/share/17yPmueHGY/

9 months ago |[YT] | 1

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

My dear friends, Im so sorry to inform that I will reschedule our Iquitos events soon, the end if the years is usually complicated for tour guides , work and family events. I pinky promise we will continue soon next week. on the other hand I will surprise you with many surprise tours starting next week. stay tuned. With Love V.

9 months ago |[YT] | 6

History Adventures with Vanessa Vasquez

I was pleased to meet again with my friend Patrick and his pleasant group after a wonderful trip in Peru. Some of you may have been following his adventures; if not, please follow him around the world through his daily updates. I look forward to seeing you back in Peru soon, and sharing more ceviche and pisco sours together 🥂. @2Me Travel

10 months ago |[YT] | 5