Towering over the Inca nation's capital, San Cristobal Hill provides the ultimate bird's-eye view of Lima and Callao's 10 million citizens, overlooking as far as the Pacific, including San Lorenzo Island.
But there is more to the hill than a neat lookout spot. For years, San Cristobal Hill has served as a traditional space for pilgrimage and reflection for devout Catholics on Holy Week.
Rising between peripheral Rimac and San Juan de Lurigancho districts, the hill's spiritual value dates back to pre-Columbian times, when it housed the apu or sacred mountain spirit.
The cross
Today, Andean spirits have given way to Catholicism, as is evident from the towering cross —a must-see Lima landmark— resting upon San Cristobal's summit.
Construction of the cross began in 1927, but the monument was not inaugurated until December 1928.
Friar Francisco Aramburu, the distinguished priest who promoted the initiative to build the cross, led the first pilgrimage to the top of the hill in May 1929.
Religious scenario
Ever since, Lima emulates 'Jerusalem' every Holy Week, with local Rimac River acting as the 'Jordan' and San Cristobal Hill as its local 'Calvary'.
On Good Fridays, hundreds of families and religious groups gather as early as 7 AM to commemorate Christ's Via Crucis walking up the 4-km route to San Cristobal's top.
Pilgrims make stops at 14 stations along the road to pray and remember the Passion of Christ.
San Cristobal Hill has also served as the stage for Peruvian actor Mario Valencia, who played Peru's Jesus Christ in his much-touted recreation of the Stations of the Cross every Good Friday for over 30 years.
Relevant facts
Made of steel and concrete, the 20-meter cross at San Cristobal's summit has withstood the earthquakes of 1940, 1966 and 1974.
It welcomes large crowds not only on Holy Week, but also during the Festival of the Crosses (first Sunday of May).
National Police and Rimac Municipality advise against bringing children, babies or senior citizens with health problems along to the pilgrimage.
Likewise, access this year is prohibited for people carrying large objects, bicycles, inline skates, motorcycles and cars.
(END) JVV/LIT/DHT/MVB