A vision realized after 200 years
The National Museum of Peru – MUNA is one of the most emblematic projects of the Peruvian State, carried out by the Ministry of Culture. It was inaugurated on July 24, 2021, as part of the celebrations for the Bicentennial of Peru’s Independence. This museum represents the culmination of a republican dream that began with José de San Martín, who in 1822 proposed the creation of a national museum to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
On December 29, 2020, through Supreme Decree No. 018-2020-MC, the President of the Republic, Francisco Sagasti Hochhausler, formalized the creation of the National Museum of Peru, fulfilling a long-standing republican aspiration.
Strategic location: Between the past and the present
Privileged location
MUNA is located at kilometer 31 of the Old Pan-American Highway South, in the district of Lurín, South Lima. This location is not coincidental: the museum is strategically situated near the Archaeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac, creating a cultural corridor that connects archaeological heritage with modern interpretation.
The National Museum of Peru is located to the west of the intangible area of the Archaeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac, situated in the Lurín valley, a territory that has recorded 3000 years of cultural occupation along its banks dedicated to fishing and agriculture.
How to get there
From the North:
- Enter the Old Pan-American Highway South through the Conchán toll, passing the Campo Santo Parque del Recuerdo of Lurín.
From the South:
- Enter the Old Pan-American Highway South via the San Pedro Bridge, passing the main entrance of the Archaeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac and its Site Museum.
Public transport:
- Line 8510 (El San Bartolo A) to the Nuevo Museo or Mamacona stop.
- Feeder service from the Metropolitano heading to Villa El Salvador, stopping at the Universidad Científica del Sur, at the Panamericana Sur stop.
Avant-garde architecture: A modern Andean court
Innovative design
The building has seven floors, three of which are underground. It includes libraries, meeting rooms, an auditorium, archives, workshops, and a research laboratory. The architectural design by leonmarcial arquitectos fuses traditional Andean concepts with modern technology.
MUNA is conceived as a new Andean kancha, an infrastructure that weaves and integrates these two landscapes – the archaeological and the contemporary. The structure is designed to harmoniously blend with the desert landscape and the pre-existing archaeological sites of the Lurín valley.
Architectural features
Levels and distribution:
- 7 floors in total (4 above ground, 3 underground).
- Three main programs: a Research and Conservation Center with educational programs, Storage and technical areas, and Public museum areas with collections connected to social spaces (auditorium, restaurant, library, and large multipurpose rooms).
Outdoor spaces:
- The four elevated outdoor platforms relate to the Archaeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac, the Site Museum, the Pacific Ocean, the Urpiwachak lagoon, the agricultural landscape, the desert of Tablazo, as well as the developing urban areas.
Institutional mission and vision
Main objective
MUNA, envisioned as the center and headquarters of the National Museum System, aims to preserve, conserve, restore, exhibit, and connect the national archaeological culture to the living culture of the present.
Integrative vision
The museum’s vision is to become a guiding and coordinating entity for the museums of the country, capable of responding to the demands for preservation, research, and dissemination of the Nation’s cultural heritage.
Collections and exhibitions
Origin of the collections
The museum’s collection consists of part of the archaeological pieces from the now-defunct Museum of the Nation and the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru that exceeded their already full storage facilities.
Thematic focus
The museum is primarily dedicated to the pre-Columbian period in Peru and Inca culture. The exhibitions aim to present the cultural continuity from pre-Hispanic civilizations to contemporary cultural expressions.
First major exhibition
In 2021, it presented its first major art exhibition. Since its inauguration, the museum has been working to develop a museographic narrative that connects the past with the present, showcasing the relevance of Peruvian cultural traditions.
Practical information for visitors
Current status and reservations
Important: Starting Wednesday, June 26, 2024, MUNA will open its doors to the public. However, it is important to check the current status of the museum, as it has experienced temporary closures.
Visitation system
To reserve your visit, we invite you to register using the virtual form for national and international audiences, or to come to the museum during established hours and register in person.
Visitation shifts:
- Shift 1: 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Shift 2: 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Shift 3: 1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
- Shift 4: 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Entry tolerance:
- Shift 1: Entry until 10:15 a.m.
- Shift 2: Entry until 11:45 a.m.
- Shift 3: Entry until 1:45 p.m.
- Shift 4: Entry until 3:15 p.m.
Reservations and contact
Email: muna@cultura.gob.pe This email is also for educational and university visits. Emails will be attended to during office hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Family access
Minors (children and adolescents) can attend accompanied by their mothers, fathers, and/or guardians. To do this, they must enter their details on the reservation platform, selecting the option for minor’s ID.
Pet policy
Only accredited guide dogs are allowed.
Project history: A bicentennial dream
Genesis of the project
In 2014, the Ministry of Culture launched the architectural ideas competition for MUNA, and from this initiative, construction of the building began in 2016.
Investment and construction
The construction of the museum required an investment of S/.150 million, financed by the national government. The project was executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the construction was awarded to the MUNA Consortium, composed of OHL and Aldesa Construcciones.
Challenges and realities
The museum faced unique challenges since its opening. Following five years of construction, a devastating pandemic (Peru had the highest per capita death toll in the world), five different presidents (four of whom faced potential prison time), and 13 Ministers of Culture, MUNA stands empty, without collections to exhibit, and without surrounding landscaping or an established institution to manage it.
Cultural significance and future projection
A space for dialogue
In a country that deserves spaces for dialogue and healing, the opening of an empty museum – a process done in reverse – may be the only way to move forward.
Infrastructure for the unknown
The generous and open structure of MUNA is fundamental if we want to offer the possibility of developing multiple museologies and museographies over time. In this way, the museum plays a fundamental cultural role in the development of contemporary national identity in connection with Peru’s historically varied landscapes.
Cultural ecosystem
The landscaping project on the second level of the building and its surrounding native and local vegetation offers an ecosystem of improvised activities, creating spaces where the community can interact organically with cultural heritage.
Importance in the national museum system
Articulating role
MUNA is not just another museum; it is conceived as the nerve center of the National Museum System of Peru. Its function transcends the simple exhibition of objects to become a space for coordination, research, and museological training at the national level.
Research center
The facilities include specialized laboratories and research spaces that will allow:
- Advanced archaeological studies
- Conservation of cultural heritage
- Training of specialists in museology
- Development of new methodologies for cultural interpretation
Visitor experience
A museum under construction
A visit to MUNA offers a unique experience: the opportunity to witness the construction of a museum from its conceptual foundations. Visitors can witness how the national narrative is shaped and participate in the process of defining contemporary cultural identity.
Multifunctional spaces
The design allows for multiple configurations and uses:
- Temporary and permanent exhibitions
- Cultural and academic events
- Educational activities
- Community gatherings
- Artistic presentations
Challenges and opportunities
Integration challenge
The main challenge for MUNA is to achieve effective integration between:
- Pre-Hispanic cultures and contemporary society
- The different peoples that make up Peru
- Heritage preservation and museographic innovation
- Local identity and international projection
Historical opportunity
The museum represents a unique opportunity to:
- Redefine the Peruvian national narrative
- Create new models of museum management
- Integrate technology and tradition
- Develop sustainable cultural tourism
Recommendations for your visit
Before you go
- Check current status: Confirm hours and availability through official channels.
- Make a reservation: Use the online reservation system to ensure access.
- Plan your time: Allow at least half a day for a complete visit.
- Combine with Pachacamac: Take advantage of the proximity to visit the Archaeological Sanctuary.
During your visit
- Arrive early: Respect entry times.
- Participate actively: Take advantage of opportunities for dialogue and reflection.
- Explore the outdoors: Enjoy the landscaped areas and views.
- Document your experience: Record this historic moment of museographic construction.
After your visit
- Share your experience: Contribute to the dialogue about the museum in construction.
- Follow on social media: Stay informed about the project’s development.
- Visit other museums: Explore the network of museums that MUNA seeks to articulate.