This period of history begins with Spanish arrival is 1527. This was a brutal period of history, which left deep scars that are still visible today.

While Peruvians welcome Spanish tourists, they still feel the weight of the violence perpetrated during the colonial period.

Initial contact between the Spanish and Andeans started in 1527 but it was 1533 when the Inca Atahualpa was murdered that the Spanish conquest really got underway.

The Viceroyalty of Peru was officially established in 1542. There were uprisings and rebellions throughout the 1600s and 1700s. Read my BBC article about the battle of Sangarará in 1780, Peru’s first win against the Spanish army. Peru declared independence in 1821 but it wasn’t until the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824 that the Spanish army was truly defeated.

Traveling around Peru, you’ll see the mark of the Spanish colonization on every town and also on many archeological sites. Many Inca sites have Catholic churches built on top and many sacred mountains, called apu, have a cross placed at the summit.

All towns have a Plaza de Armas, like towns in Spain. This is where you’ll also find the town’s church or a city’s cathedral. While over 75% of Peruvians consider themselves Catholic, many also acknowledge that their ancestors’ conversions to the Church was obligatory and often violent.

Further reading

To start with, try this 15 minute read of Peruvian colonial history.