Bridge of Sighs (Lima)

Bridge of Sighs

Puente de los Suspiros
The bridge in 2016
Coordinates12°08′57″S 77°01′21″W / 12.14914°S 77.022624°W / -12.14914; -77.022624
History
Inaugurated1876
Location

The Bridge of Sighs (Spanish: Puente de los Suspiros) is a wooden pedestrian overpass located between the Hermitage of Barranco [es] and Zepita passage in Barranco District, in Lima, Peru.[1][2] It is one of the most visited tourist places in the historic district, and a meeting point for couples in love.[3][4]

Overview

The bridge, 44 metres long and 3 metres wide, joins Ayacucho street with the access to the hermitage of Barranco, while, by joining the ends of the ravine and saving a height of 8.5 metres, the Bajada of the Baños of Barranco passes below (the road that leads to the district's beaches).[5][6][7]

Due to the popular tradition that indicated the place as a meeting point for lovers and romances, the bridge became known as the bridge "of sighs".[1][8]

History

The bridge was inaugurated during the municipal administration of Mayor Francisco García Monterroso, on February 14, 1876.[5][8] During the War of the Pacific, it was destroyed by Chilean troops passing through the place after being victorious in the Battle of Chorrillos on January 13, 1881.[4]

In 1960, the Creole music composer Chabuca Granda dedicated the Peruvian waltz "El puente de los suspiros" to the bridge.[5][9][10] Years later, the municipality of the district placed a monument to the singer next to the bridge.[11][12]

In December 2014, after six months of restoration work, the bridge was reopened to the public. The investment for the work was S/. 10 million.[13]

In the early morning of June 3, 2023, the structural integrity of a building built in 1911 located next to the bridge became compromised, causing a partial collapse of a section of a wall that faces the passage which leads to the bridge, leading to the closure of the area, including the bridge.[14]

Gallery

  • Seen from the Bajada de Baños
    Seen from the Bajada de Baños
  • Ditto.
    Ditto.
  • Opposite view
    Opposite view
  • The bridge at night
    The bridge at night

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "El Puente de los Suspiros en el corazón de Barranco". Peru.com. 2014-10-14.
  2. ^ "20 cosas que hacer en Lima". El País. 2016-08-25.
  3. ^ "San Valentín: cinco destinos imperdibles por el día del amor y la amistad". Wapa.pe. 2020-02-12.
  4. ^ a b "Google Maps: buscó lugar de Barranco y encontró a pareja haciendo esto". Peru.com. 2018-02-28. Archived from the original on 2020-07-27.
  5. ^ a b c "Atractivos Turísticos". Municipalidad de Barranco.
  6. ^ "Puente de los Suspiros – Ermita de Barranco". Museos de Lima. Ministerio de Cultura.
  7. ^ Segreda, Ricardo; Caputo, Lorraine (2009). V!VA Travel Guides: Peru. Viva Publishing Network. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-9791264-3-7.
  8. ^ a b "Cebiche y bohemia". El País. 2010-12-30.
  9. ^ Gutiérrez, Czar (2020-07-26). "El novio de la muerte: César Calvo (1940 – 2000)". El Comercio.
  10. ^ Monjeau, Federico (2017-12-02). "El Puente de los Suspiros y otros motivos limeños". Clarín.
  11. ^ Reyna, Rob (2018-09-03). "Chabuca Granda: nuestra cantautora universal cumpliría 98 años (¿Quién fue Chabuca Granda y por qué es mundialmente conocida?)". RPP Noticias.
  12. ^ "Camioneta se despista cerca a Puente de los Suspiros y casi destruye estatua de Chabuca Granda". Trome. 2018-04-04.
  13. ^ "Reabren el renovado Puente de los Suspiros en Barranco". El Comercio. 2014-12-20. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16.
  14. ^ Huayta, Athenas (2023-06-05). "Barranco: casona de 112 años se derrumbó cerca al Puente de los Suspiros". La República.