- Barranco
Infobox District Peru
district = Barranco
image_size =
image_caption = The church at Barranco Main Square.
cofarms = COA Barranco District in Lima Province.png
region =
province = Lima
founded =October 26 ,1874
capital =
elevation =
hamlets =
ubigeo = 150104
pop = 45,922 (2002 estimate)
density = 13,790.4 people
area = 3.33
mayor = Felipe Antonio Mezarina Tong
web = www.munibarranco.gob.peBarranco is one of 43 districts in
Lima ,Peru .It is considered to be the city's most important romantic andbohemian district. It used to be a fashionable beach resort for the old Liman aristocracy. Many people used to spend the summer here and in neighboringChorrillos . The current mayor is Felipe Antonio Mezarina Tong and the district's postal code is 04.The name "Barranco" (Spanish for "
ravine ") is descriptive of itstopography , featuring homes and restaurants in and around a ravine near a cliff overlooking a small sand strip (now flanked by a highway, Costa Verde Ave.) which runs fromMiraflores District toChorrillos .There is a beautiful walkway to the sea that runs through Barranco, called the "Bajada de los Baños". Crossing over this walkway is the "Puente de los Suspiros", or
Bridge of Sighs . The walkway is bordered on both sides by grand houses, and the legend goes that a daughter of one of these grand houses fell in love with a lowly street sweeper. Her father forbid the union, and she lived out her days as a spinster, waiting at her window for glimpse of her beloved. Those who walked across the bridge could hear her plaintive sighs. On the far side of the bridge is a park with a statue of Barranco's famous singer and composer,Chabuca Granda .Barranco has houses in the style of the Republican era, flower-filled parks and streets, and appealing beachfront areas. This district includes numerous restaurants. Many nightclubs are also located in Barranco, including discos, bars and "peñas", where one can appreciate Peruvian music shows. On Pedro de Osma Ave., some tracks from the former
streetcar (originally a railroad between Chorrillos/La Herradura and Downtown Lima) can be seen.Barranco has a rather drier climate than the other districts, which have a more humid climate.
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