The Combatants of the Morro de Arica Museum (), also known as the Casa de Bolognesi, is a

house museum A historic house museum is a house of historic significance that is preserved as a museum. Historic furnishings may be displayed in a way that reflects their original placement and usage in a home. Historic house museums are held to a variety of ...

dedicated to the

War of the Pacific The War of the Pacific (), also known by War of the Pacific#Etymology, multiple other names, was a war between Chile and a Treaty of Defensive Alliance (Bolivia–Peru), Bolivian–Peruvian alliance from 1879 to 1884. Fought over Atacama Desert ...

and its

battle of Arica The Battle of Arica, also known as ''Assault and Capture of Cape Arica'', was a battle in the War of the Pacific. It was fought on 7 June 1880, between the forces of Chile and Peru. After the Battle of Tacna and the following Bolivian withdra ...

, located at the birthplace of

Francisco Bolognesi Francisco Bolognesi Cervantes (4 November 1816 – 7 June 1880) was a Peruvian military colonel. He is considered a national hero in Peru and was declared patron of the Army of Peru by the government of Peru on 2 January 1951. Early life and ...

, in the

historic centre of Lima The Historic Centre of Lima () is the historic city centre of the city of Lima, the capital of Peru. Located in the city's districts of Lima and Rímac, both in the Rímac Valley, it consists of two areas: the first is the Monumental Zone est ...

Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...

History

The museum was installed in the house where Colonel

killed in action Killed in action (KIA) is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their personnel at the hands of enemy or hostile forces at the moment of action. The United States Department of Defense, for example, ...

during the

Battle of Arica The Battle of Arica, also known as ''Assault and Capture of Cape Arica'', was a battle in the War of the Pacific. It was fought on 7 June 1880, between the forces of Chile and Peru. After the Battle of Tacna and the following Bolivian withdra ...

(1880), was born in 1816. The mansion, declared a

national monument A national monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of importance to national heritage, such as a country's founding, independence, war, or the life and death of a historical figure. The term may also refer to a sp ...

on January 29, 1962, was restored under the

military government A military government is any government that is administered by a military, whether or not this government is legal under the laws of the jurisdiction at issue or by an occupying power. It is usually administered by military personnel. Types of m ...

Juan Velasco Alvarado Juan Francisco Velasco Alvarado (June 16, 1910 – December 24, 1977) was a Peruvian Army general, general who served as the President of Peru after a successful 1968 Peruvian coup d'état, coup d'état against Fernando Belaúnde's presidency ...

, inaugurated on June 7, 1975, by then War Minister

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 an ...

in a ceremony assisted by the descendants of those who fought during the battle. Its interior restoration was carried out by the architect Alfonso Estremadoyro, who restored its colonial appearance, but not the façade, whose restoration was in charge of the

National Institute of Culture The Ministry of Culture (, MINCUL) is the government ministry of Peru in charge of the promotion of Peruvian culture and identity. It was created on 20 July 2010, during the Second presidency of Alan García. It replaced the National Institute ...

. In 2016 the museum was restored again as well as many pieces from its collection, such as military suits and handwritten letters from Bolognesi.

Collection

The museum is divided into 12 thematic rooms. Among the most notable pieces in the collection are the paintings ''

La respuesta "La Respuesta" is a song by American singer Becky G and Colombian singer Maluma. It was released by Kemosabe Records, RCA Records and Sony Music Latin on April 19, 2019. The track was written by Gomez, Maluma and its producer Édgar Barrera, and ...

'' and ''

El último cartucho ''El último cartucho'' (Spanish language, Spanish for "The Last Cartridge") is an 1899 oil painting by Peruvian painter Juan Lepiani. It forms part of the collection of the Combatants of the Morro de Arica Museum. Context The painting depicts a ...

'' by

Juan Lepiani José Juan de Dios Mateo Osbaldo Botaro Lepiani Toledo (20 September 1864, Lima – 28 November 1932, Rome) was a Peruvian painter. He is primarily known for historical and Patriotism, patriotic scenes; notably those related to the War of the Pac ...

, and the

Peruvian flag The Flag of Peru (), often referred to as The Bicolour (), was adopted by the government of Peru in 1825, and modified in 1950. According to the article 49 of the Constitution of Peru, it is a vertical triband (flag), triband with red outer band ...

that flew on the

Morro de Arica Morro de Arica is a steep hill located in the Chilean city of Arica. Its height is 139 metres above sea level. It was the last bulwark of defense for the Peruvian troops who garrisoned the city during the War of the Pacific (1879–1883). Morro d ...

before it became

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...

an territory.

References

{{Lima landmarks Museums in Lima Historic Centre of Lima Museums established in 1975

History

Collection

See also

References