Who Discovered Machu Picchu?
Well, the easy answer is Hiram Bingham. Bingham (imagine a slightly more academic, note quite as dynamic Indiana Jones) discovered Machu Picchu in 1911. However, was the Lost City of the Incas ever actually lost? And did Hiram Bingham actually discover it first?
Without taking anything away from Hiram Bingham, the ‘discovery’ of Machu Picchu is a matter of some debate.
Take a look at The Hiram Bingham Machu Picchu Debate to find out more….
The Greatest Peruvian Hero – Miguel Grau
Statue of Miguel Grau Seminario – La Casa Grau, Piura, Peru
In 2000, Miguel Grau Seminario was voted Peruvian of the Millenium. An admiral in the Peruvian navy, Grau is today regarded as the greatest Peruvian hero of the modern era. His heroics in the War of the Pacific against Chile have not been forgotten – a prominent street can be found in every Peruvian town or city bearing the name of Miguel Grau.
To find out more about Peru’s greatest hero read the article at Suite101:
Peruvian Heroes – Miguel Grau Seminario
Miguel Grau Museum – La Casa Grau, Piura, Peru
If you are travelling in Peru and would like to learn more about Admiral Miguel Grau, then head for the Grau Museum in Piura. Located in the Admiral’s childhood home, this small museum has a fascinating collection of paintings and items that once belonged to Grau. There is also a wonderful scale model of Grau’s ship, the Huascar.
For more information, take a look at The Admiral Miguel Grau Museum, Peru.
Famous People from Peru
Famous Peruvians…. Maybe not many spring to mind. History buffs will probably reel off some Incas, and maybe a few generals or admirals. But what about some famous Peruvians who are more household names, not just in Peru but worldwide?
Footballers (soccer players) are amongst the more famous Peruvians today. Nolberto ‘Nobby’ Solano is a Newcastle United legend and a popular figure in the English Premier League. Claudio Pizzaro is another ex Premier player, though his success was minimal. Juan Manuel Vargas is arguably the hottest property from the Peruvian market, and the best player in the struggling national team.
However, Peru is also a volleyball nation and the long coastline has provided a few surfers along the way. Kina Malpartida is currently the toast of Peru after claiming her boxing title in 2009.
Famous Peruvians also appear on the silver screen. Benjamin Bratt and Nathalie Kelley (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) were both born in Peru. Many Peruvian telenovela (soap opera) stars are famous throughout Latin America, but often unheard of in the rest of the world.
Take a look at these articles for some more famous Peruvians:
Famous Peruvian Actors and Actresses
