Chiclayo is Peru’s fourth largest city after Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo, and is close enough to Trujillo that it’s possible to visit both on the same trip. While perhaps not the most exciting city itself, Chiclayo is an ideal base for exploring the archaeological sites, ruins and ancient wonders the northern Peruvian desert plain has to offer. Chiclayo’s history is something of an anomaly in Peru, in that it was not founded or taken over by the Spanish. Instead, it has been home to many ancient indigenous cultures over the years including the Moche civilization, the Sican culture, and the Cinto and Collique ethnic groups. After Peru gained independence from Spain, Chiclayo’s status was elevated from a village to a villa, and it eventually became the capital of the Chiclayo province, earning itself the title of the “Heroic City” for its involvement in the war of independence. Today, Chiclayo is an important commercial and financial center in northern Peru.