Simón Bolívar, known as “The Liberator,” is a monumental figure in Latin American history. He led the independence movements that freed what are now the nations of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Bolivia from Spanish rule.
However, Bolívar’s profound legacy in Lima is deeply personal. And it’s centered on one specific district: Pueblo Libre.
Pueblo Libre earned its name not just because it was a home for the liberators. José de San Martín himself named it “Pueblo Libre” or “Free Town” in 1821. It was meant to honor the residents for their unwavering support of the independence movement.
The Home of the Liberators in Lima
The grand estate that was the former home of the second to last viceroy of Peru, Joaquín de la Pezuela, served as a strategic command center for the final campaigns against the Spanish. It was originally known as the Magdalena Palace. This historic residence became the home in Peru of two of the continent’s greatest liberators.
José de San Martín occupied the mansion first. He established it as his official residence and the base from which he planned Peru’s independence. It was the hub for all his subsequent activities in the country.
Following the departure of José de San Martín, Simón Bolívar arrived in Lima in September 1823 to complete the final phase of independence. He, too, established his military headquarters in the same magnificent home.
For years, this historic residence was a hub of feverish activity. It was a place where Simón Bolívar in Lima planned the decisive battles of Junin and Ayacucho. The battles that would ultimately secure Peru’s freedom. The mansion, now known as the Quinta de los Libertadores, stands as a testament to the shared efforts that secured a nation’s destiny.
Bolívar’s Key Relationships in Lima
Pueblo Libre was more than just a military base for Bolívar. It was the backdrop for his most important personal and political interactions in Lima. His time here was defined by two central relationships that shaped both his life and Peru’s history.
A Meeting of Minds: José de San Martín
Although the famous meeting between Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín took place in Guayaquil, their stories are permanently intertwined in Pueblo Libre. San Martín, the Liberator of the South, had declared Peru’s independence in 1821.
After facing political challenges, San Martín handed over his command to Simón Bolívar, the Liberator of the North. San Martín, lacking the necessary forces to finish, entrusted Bolívar with the final liberation of Peru.
Consequently, Bolívar’s subsequent residence in the same district that San Martín had occupied cemented Pueblo Libre’s identity as the “Village of the Liberators.” Their shared legacy is a testament to the combined forces that secured a nation’s freedom.
Note: The most significant historic sites connected to Simón Bolívar in Lima are in Pueblo Libre. And the equestrian statue is not in Pueblo Libre and is not a significant site. Pueblo Libre is the district where Bolivar lived, loved and planned the final campaigns to secure Peru’s independence from Spain.
Bolívar’s Immortal Love in Lima: Manuela Sáenz
Perhaps the most famous connection to Simón Bolívar in Lima is his relationship with Manuela Sáenz. A fierce patriot and revolutionary in her own right, she was his lover and confidante.
Manuela was also a resident of the district. Her home was located on Plaza Bolívar, across from the Quinta de los Libertadores and the historic Santa Maria Magdalena church.
Manuela Sáenz service to the cause of independence was so significant that San Martín personally awarded her the Order of the Sun. And on recommendation of another of the famous former residents of Pueblo Libre, Antonio José de Sucre, following the battle of Ayacucho, Bolívar awarded Sáenz the rank of Colonel. Thus all 3 of the most famous liberators recognized her valor and unwavering patriotism.
Sáenz also earned the famous title “Liberatora del Libertador” (Liberator of the Liberator) for her decisive actions. On a famous occasion, she saved Bolívar’s life during an assassination attempt in Bogotá. It was a testament to her courage and loyalty. And Bolívar’s fondness for her was so great that he affectionately called her “la amable loca,” or “the kind madwoman.”
To this day, a statue of Bolívar stands at one end of Plaza Bolívar. It is positioned so his gaze is directed permanently towards Manuela Sáenz former home, now a private museum.
This poignant detail immortalizes their passionate love story and it makes Pueblo Libre not only a place of political history, but also of romantic legend. This historic district is the very stage for the enduring tale of Bolívar and Sáenz. And it’s where Simón Bolívar left his most indelible mark on Lima.
