Cross of Chalpon celebration in Peru

At the beginning of August, the citizens of Motupe, a small town about 80 km (50 miles) north of Chiclayo in the Lambayeque region, and worshippers from across the country pay homage to the Cross of Chalpon with a large pilgrimage festival.

The celebration lasts about ten days and sees thousands of devotees who participate in the pilgrimage festival. Many pilgrims walk barefoot as a sign of their great faith.

The festival includes carrying the cross from its cave down the mountain through the smaller villages Zapote and Salitral to Motupe, processions, stands offering dishes typical to the northern regions of Peru and religious objects along the way and in town, masses, praying and blessings, lots of cañazo (a regional cane liquor), dances, music and fireworks and of course a procession to bring the cross back to its cave.

August 5, the principal day of the festivities, starts with a morning mass at the Church of San Julian in Motupe. Afterwards the wooden cross is carried into the church where worshipers can visit it the whole day. In the evening, the cross is carried into the streets for a huge procession that last throughout the night.

Read more about this festival in our article "Cross of Chalpon".

Cross of Chalpon - Cruz de Chalpon

Peruvian Public Holidays & Festivities

Each year around August 5, the citizens of Motupe, a small town about 80 km (50 miles) north of Chiclayo in the Lambayeque region, and worshippers ...