Gold Museum of Peru & Arms of the World, Lima (must see)

In the 1960s, Miguel Mujica Gallo, a collector who had spent his lifetime amassing a private collection, established a foundation in his name. This foundation oversees the Gold Museum of Peru and Arms of the World, which he also established. These museums are situated in the Santiago de Surco district of Lima.

The museum building, spanning two stories, is constructed from reinforced concrete. Its entrance resembles a vault similar to those found in banks.

Mujica Gallo's collection comprises over seven thousand Peruvian artifacts, driven by his deep admiration for Peru's history. His aim was to leave a lasting legacy for the country, paying tribute to its pre-Columbian cultures through a diverse array of materials. These materials include precious metals like gold, silver, and even some platinum, as well as various textiles, ceramics, mummies, and other valuable historical items.

In addition to its extensive golden exhibits, the museum houses an impressive collection of 20,000 weapons from different time periods and regions. These pieces are renowned for their quantity, quality, remarkable condition, and their connection to historical figures. This collection is considered one of the world's foremost in its niche and is the result of the founder's dedicated efforts as a private collector.

Within the museum's premises, visitors can also explore war uniforms, horse saddles, armor, spurs, and various other objects that provide insights into the diverse characters and events that have shaped history over the course of more than 3,300 years.

Why You Should Visit:
The weapons collection, while random, is massive – you can take at least an hour rushing around all the exhibits. The basement is a huge vault containing all the gold & silver, etc.
Objects are grouped according to when they were made, or who made them, or what they were for, and are preserved in climate-controlled settings.

Tip:
If you're after baby alpaca wool scarves, hats, blankets, etc., you can get them at the shops outside of this museum at half the price of other mainstream shops in Miraflores!