Rímac District


Rímac is a district of Lima, Peru. It is one of the oldest parts of the city, and was formally made into a district in 1920. Due to its age, vestiges of the city's Spanish era remain today in the district's Monumental Zone, the old quarter that's part of the Cultural heritage of Peru since 1972, and a World Heritage Site since 1988 as part of the Historic Centre of Lima.
WWW munirimac.gob.pe

Etymology

The name of the district comes from one of two sources: Either the Aymara language lima-limaq, or the Spanish pronunciation of the Quechua word rimaq. It is worth nothing that the same Quechua word is also the source of the name given to the river that feeds the city, the Rímac River. Early maps of Peru show both names displayed jointly.
It was known until the 19th century as San Lázaro', a neighbourhood of Lima District. Prior to that, it was called "the neighbourhood on the other side of the bridge".

History

The city of Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, and given the name City of Kings. Nevertheless, its original name persisted with time.
The district was part of Lima District until its creation in 1920. Prior to that, it was a neighbourhood named after Saint Lazarus or after its location on the other side of the Puente de Piedra.
In 1988, UNESCO declared the historic centre of Lima a World Heritage Site for its originality and high concentration of historic monuments constructed during the viceregal era. In 2023, it was expanded with two exclaves to include the Quinta and Molino de Presa and the Ancient Reduction of Santiago Apostle of Cercado.
Like its southern counterpart, the district's historic quarter is divided by Trujillo Street, which connects with Union Street through the Puente de Piedra, the oldest bridge in the city. Its eastern side features the Plaza de Acho, the most famous bullfighting arena in South America and one of the most well known in the world. Looking directly from Ricardo Palma Bridge on downtown Lima district's East side, a large building with the logo of Cerveza Cristal, one of two famous Peruvian brands, can be seen. This was the main brewery until the Backus company moved operations to Ate in the 1990s. North of the plant is the Alameda de los Descalzos, a short boulevard with a large planted median leading into the Convento de los Descalzos. Built in the 18th century by the Spanish colonial government, it is one of the best features in this lower-middle-class district. Northern Rímac, or Amancaes, once romanticized in ballads as "La Flor de Amancaes", a hilly prairie, is now overrun with pueblos jóvenes. San Cristóbal hill, which is the highest point in Lima Province, is located in the district. The district's religious festivities include the Señor Crucificado del Rímac.

Politics

Rímac is under the jurisdiction of its own district municipality, as well as that of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima.

List of mayors

Since 2023, the incumbent mayor is.

Subdivisions

As of 1993, Rímac is divided into the following urban areas or neighbourhoods:

Twin cities

As of 2025, Lima is twinned with 24 cities in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Geography

The district has a total land area of 11.87 km2. Its administrative centre is located at 154 meters above sea level.

Boundaries

Landmarks

The Historic Centre of Lima is located within the district. The World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1988 is divided into three sites, of which two are located in Rímac District.

Transport

The district is serviced by the Metropolitano bus system. A line of the Lima and Callao Metro is being planned since 2010.