The Alto de la Alianza Monumental Complex ( es, Complejo Monumental Alto de la Alianza) is a

historical monument A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, hist ...

and landmark complex in the south of

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

, near the city of Tacna. The monument is located in the site of the

Battle of Tacna The Battle of Tacna, also known as the ''Battle of the Peak of the Alliance'' (Spanish: ''Batalla del Alto de la Alianza''), effectively destroyed the Peru-Bolivian alliance against Chile, forged by a secret treaty signed in 1873. On May 26, 188 ...

, a battle that took place on May 26, 1880 between the allied

Bolivian Bolivian may refer to: * Something of, or related to Bolivia ** Bolivian people ** Demographics of Bolivia ** Culture of Bolivia * SS ''Bolivian'', a British-built standard cargo ship A cargo ship or freighter is a merchant ship that carries ...

and

Peruvian Peruvians ( es, peruanos) are the citizens of Peru. There were Andean and coastal ancient civilizations like Caral, which inhabited what is now Peruvian territory for several millennia before the Spanish conquest of Peru, Spanish conquest in th ...

forces against the

Chilean Army The Chilean Army ( es, Ejército de Chile) is the land arm of the Military of Chile. This 80,000-person army (9,200 of which are conscripts) is organized into six divisions, a special operations brigade and an air brigade. In recent years, and ...

that resulted in the alliance's retreat and the loss of their strongholds in

Arica Arica ( ; ) is a commune and a port city with a population of 222,619 in the Arica Province of northern Chile's Arica y Parinacota Region. It is Chile's northernmost city, being located only south of the border with Peru. The city is the capita ...

and Tacna, as well as a period known locally as the ''captivity of Tacna'', part of the larger Chilean–Peruvian territorial dispute that lasted about 50 years.

Overview

The site is on the Intiorko Hill

plateau In geology and physical geography, a plateau (; ; ), also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. Often one or more sides ...

, surrounded by

sand Sand is a granular material composed of finely divided mineral particles. Sand has various compositions but is defined by its grain size. Sand grains are smaller than gravel and coarser than silt. Sand can also refer to a textural class o ...

and ''

sempervivum ''Sempervivum'' (Brit. , U.S. �sɛ̃mpeɹ'vivũm is a genus of about 40 species of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, commonly known as houseleeks. Other common names include liveforever (the source of the taxonomical designation ''Sem ...

'' plants. It houses a monument in homage to the combatants of the battle. The arch generated by the set of volumes oriented on the east-west axis symbolizes the alliance of the armies of

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

and Bolivia; and its elements or blocks represent the different battalions or contingents that came from both countries. The volume of stones reflects the direction of the Chilean attack and symbolizes the force that it exerted. The curve, generated by the volumes in opposition to the direction of the stones, symbolizes the battle and the succession of higher plates pointing south, expresses the resistance of the city of Tacna.

Complex

In 1979, the military government presided over by

Francisco Morales Bermúdez Francisco Remigio Morales Bermúdez Cerruti (4 October 1921 – 14 July 2022) was a Peruvian politician and general who was the ''de facto'' President of Peru (2nd President of the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces) between 1975 and ...

determined the construction of a large monumental complex, located on the plain to the northeast of Intiorko hill; The project and construction of the monument were under the direction of architect Enrique Vargas Giles and engineer Jorge Espinoza Cáceres respectively and the sculptural part was assumed by Holger Carpio Deztre.

Museum

The Campo de la Alianza Site Museum is a war museum located under the Alto de la Alianza monument, it was inaugurated on May 26, 1982.

Monument

The

monument A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, hist ...

features the previously described arch feature and ornate surroundings, as well as a cemetery in its vicinity with over 700 crosses representing the regiments and individuals that fought and were killed in action during the battle. In the cemetery stands a large marble cross that features a message by historians Jorge Basadre Grohmann and in homage to the combatants of the Battles of Tacna (05-26-1880) and

(06-07-1880). The monument is also accompanied by eight stainless steel sculptures created by the artist Holguer Caprio Dextre, with the purpose of resisting the environment of the area, and as a modern technique that has allowed advances and sculptural boasts. The set summarizes actions and attitudes of the history of the city of Tacna, heroism, resurgence and projection into the future. }) , The first sculpture is represented by a figure who is sitting up, evokes the of

Francisco Antonio de Zela Francisco Antonio de Zela y Arizaga (born July 24, 1768 in Lima - died July 18, 1819 in Panama City) is notable for sending forth the first libertarian outcry in the Peruvian city of Tacna on June 20, 1811 in an attempt to start the independence ...

in 1811 and represents the popular reaction to defend territorial integrity in the face of aggression. , - , ''The heritage of heroism''
( es, La herencia del heroísmo) , The second sculpture shows the mother teaching her son the heroic tradition, as well as the delivery that the people made of their scarce resources and the lives of their children. , - , ''The decision of honour''
( es, La decisión del Honor) , The third sculpture shows two soldiers holding a weapon, it represents the Peruvian-Bolivian alliance in defense of sovereignty against the enemy army. , - , ''Martyrdom''
( es, La Inmolación) , The fourth sculpture symbolizes the tragedy of the battle and the sacrifice of the defenders before the deployment of enemy means. , - , ''Indomitable people of Arica''
( es, Indómito pueblo de Arica) , The fifth sculpture symbolizes the suffering part of the captivity of

. , - , ''Indomitable people of Tacna''
( es, Indómito pueblo de Tacna) , The sixth sculpture symbolizes the suffering part of the captivity of Tacna. , - , ''The return to the Homeland''
( es, El retorno a la Patria) , The seventh sculpture is an effigy that stands in a stoic attitude that represents the reincorporation of Tacna to Peru. , - , ''The Homeland''
( es, La Patria) , The eight and final sculpture crowns the Monumental Complex and symbolizes the welcome of Tacna on its return to the homeland. , -

Gallery

AAMSM placa 31072010.jpg, Inauguration plaque of the complex AAMSM cañon 31072010.jpg, Cannon outside the museum AAMSM vista global 31072010.jpg, Posterior view and entrance to the museum AAMSM Restos oseos 31072010.jpg, Human remains in the museum

References

Bibliography

*{{Cite book , ref={{harvid, INEI, 2011 , title=Conociendo Tacna 2011 , publisher= Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática , year=2011 , pages=199 , language=es Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Peru Buildings and structures in Tacna Region History of Peru Monuments and memorials in Peru Cultural heritage of Peru