The beauty of the Bridge of Sighs in Lima goes beyond a romantic legend, as it has a privileged location with the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean surrounded by picturesque architecture highlighting the charm of Barranco. Next, we will dive into the fascinating history and magic that surrounds one of the most picturesque places in Lima, Peru.
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History
It was built in the last third of the nineteenth century under the need to unite the two ends of the ravine, inaugurated on February 14.
Rebuilt after being damaged during the war with Chile, it adopted its current name due to the number of couples that used to go there.
How to get there?
To get there you have to take cars that pass by the Municipal Park of Barranco, when you arrive you must go towards the Municipal Palace, you will have to walk down the street on the side where you will see the Barranco bridge.
If you take the Metropolitano, you must get off at the “Boulevard de Barranco” station and one block down Jiron Faustino Sanchez Carrion you will arrive at the Park and the Municipal Palace.
The fastest and safest way is to use a cab service to the center of Barranco or you can also ask the driver to take you to the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs).
Why is it so popular?
The most popular legend indicates that if you cross the bridge holding your breath until you reach the other point, your wish for love will be granted.
Another legend says that the daughter of a wealthy man was forbidden to see the man she loved, because he was “a simple sweeper”. Heartbroken, she would stand at the window of her room and sigh with such melancholy that people crossing the bridge could hear her.
Around the Bridge
Below the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) is the Bajada de los Baños, a very historic road that leads to the Barranquilla sea. Years ago it belonged to an ancient natural creek, this area was traveled by Peruvian fishermen who came from Surco to the beaches of Barranco. At present, this road has preserved a harmonious style, composed of several stairways that descend towards the coast.
Currently the walkway is lined on both sides by large houses, a point where you can find many things, going down the road you reach the green coast circuit and the beaches of Barranco.
The Bridge of Sighs in Barranco is not only an architectural icon, but a silent witness to countless stories of love, melancholy and hope. Its walls whisper the sighs of those who cross it, evoking a mixture of nostalgia and romance that captivates all who visit it, connecting with the past and present of this charming district of Lima.
So the next time you find yourself in Barranco, don’t forget to stop at this emblematic place and let yourself be carried away by its unique and magical atmosphere, where every sigh tells a story.
