The District of Bellavista (Callao Province)

Bellavista

(Callao Province)

The District Bellavista
(Municipalidad de Bellavista)

Jr. Francisco Bolognesi 498

Postal Code (Zip Code): Callao 2

http://www.munibellavista.gob.pe (Spanish)

District Size: 4.56 km²

Population: 75163 citizens

Population density: 16483 citizens/km²

Altitude: 14 m (Municipality)

Date of Foundation: 6. Oct 1915

General Info about Bellavista

Bellavista is one of six districts that make up the Constitutional Province of Callao. Located south of Callao downtown the district has an almost perfect rectangular shape.

As in the whole of the Lima & Callao area the first inhabitants of what we know today as Bellavista were hunters and gatherers that settled down and soon lived from fishing and agriculture. Long before the arrival of the Incas in the region different highly advanced cultures arose in the Bellavista area that built amazing huacas (Adobe Pyramids), temples and other structures.

During Colonial times Bellavista first remained a quiet area were the habitants lived from fishing and agriculture. After the terrible earthquake and the tidal wave from 1746 (that practically destroyed Callao completely) the Viceroy Jose Tame Antonio de Velasco ordered to build a new town with the characteristics of an aristocratic city. 30 years later the lands of Francisca Figueroa y Zavala, known as the area of the ‘beautiful view’ (bella vista), were chosen and the French architect Luis Godin designed the new city.

Soon Bellavista was famous for its elegant ‘fincas’ like ‘El Palacio’ where the highest aristocracy lodged. In Republican times the district of Bellavista was officially established as part of the Constitutional Province of Callao on the 6th of October 1915.

The crest of the district Bellavista in Callao

Museo de la Compañía de Bomberos Italia No. 5 in Bellavista

Please click on the Pictures for bigger view...

Places to visit & attractions in and around Bellavista

Fortress Real Felipe (Plaza Independencia, Callao)

Callao´s main attraction is the Fortress Real Felipe. Built over 250 years ago to defend the Peruvian coast and the harbour of Callao from attacks of pirates, it is the biggest and most impressive of all fortresses the Spanish crown erected overseas. Inside its walls, hallways and towers a piece of Peruvian history has survived. Since 1984 the fortress houses the museum of the Peruvian army, the ‘Museo Historico Militar Real Felipe’. Take a guided tour and discover another part of the Peruvian past (it takes about 2½ hours).

The Naval Museum – Museo Naval y Maritimo del Peru (Av. Jorge Chávez 123, Plaza Grau, Callao Center)

Located just a few blocks from the Fortress Real Felipe is the Peruvian Naval Museum. The fascinating naval and maritime history of Peru is shown with archaeological testimonies, personal objects of war heroes, ship models, instruments for navigation, photos, paintings, jewelry, sculptures and documents. In the library you will find all kinds of books related to the maritime history. The museum offers an interesting ‘package’: The tour through the museum (1½h to 2h) and a great 30 min. boat trip around Callao harbour. Have fun!

Museo de la Fuerza de Submarinos (Base Naval del Callao, La Punta, Callao)

The museum shows the captivating history of the Peruvian submarines starting in 1912 until today. You can find more info about it on our museums pages.

Museo de la Compañía de Bomberos Italia No. 5 (Alejandro Granda, Block 3, Bellavista, Callao)

The museum of the famous fire brigade Italia No. 5 is located directly in the still operating fire station of the ‘Compañía de Bomberos Italia No. 5’ in Bellavista, Callao. The museum displays objects related to the history of the station, put together with lots of love and dedication. This museum is an absolute must for all enthusiasts. You can find more info about it on our museums pages.

Read more... (Museums in Lima)

Museo Memoria Coronel Leoncio Prado (Colegio Leoncio Prado, Av. Costanera 1545, La Perla, Callao)

The museum, located inside the Military School ‘Leoncio Prado’, is dedicated to Leoncio Prado, a man who fought his lifetime against Spanish oppression. It shows photos, paintings, flags and personal belongings of the national hero Coronel Leoncio Prado. You can find more info about it on our museums pages.

Boat Tour to Callao’s Islands

One of the highlights of a visit to Callao is a boat trip to the islands offshore. Discover the ‘Mysterious Island’ of San Lorenzo, The Island of Death ‘El Frontón’ and the Palomino Islands with their unique wildlife. Boats depart daily in the morning from the piers of La Punta and Callao. You need to book a tour in advance at one of the numerous travel agencies or at the tourist booth of the Municipality of Callao. Depending on the tour you choose, the trips takes around 4 hours.

Plaza Francisco Bolognesi (Av. Saenz Peña, Block 5, Callao)

The Plaza Bolognesi is considered to be the main square in Callao, even if it seems that this honour belongs to Plaza Grau with its historical fortress, the Naval Museum nearby and its closeness to the old downtown Callao. But on the Plaza Bolognesi most for the community important ceremonies and events takes place. In honour of the hero of the famous Battle of Arica, Francisco Bolognesi, this nice square place was named after him and a statue of him built in the middle.

Plaza Jose Galvez (Off Av. Saenz Peña, Block 2 towards the historic city center, Callao)

This square is dedicated to Colonel Jose Galvez, hero of the naval battle of the 2nd of May 1866, who died defending Callao against the Spaniards. The historical houses surrounding the square give it its special charm. Many of them date back to the end of Colonial and Republican times with clearly visible English influence. The old mansions were declared as Historical Monuments by the National Cultural Institute of Peru (INC).

Have Fun...

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