Transport Museums in Lima
While there are plenty of war museums in Lima, there are surprisingly few museums dedicated to non-military vehicles. In fact, there are only two dedicated transport museums in Lima: the Aeronautical Museum of Peru and the Museo del Automovil Coleccion Nicolini.
The Aeronautical Museum of Peru is located at the Las Palmas Air Base in a building that once served as the headquarters of the Officer’s School for the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (Peruvian Air Force). The museum traces the history of aviation both in Peru and globally, starting with the imaginings of Leonardo de Vinci and moving on to the Wright brothers and Peruvian flight pioneers such as Santiago de Cardenas and Pedro Ruiz Gallo. Visitors can also learn about Jorge Chavez Dartnell, the Peruvian aviator who died while attempting the first air crossing of the Alps, and Pedro Paulet Mostajo, a Peruvian scientist considered by some as one of the fathers of aeronautics. The museum also houses models and replicas of early flying machines.
The Automobile Museum - Nicolini Collection houses one of the most extensive classic car collections in South America, with 120 vehicles built between 1901 and 1973. Some notable cars include a 1901 Boyer Voiturette, an Allard K2, an Auburn 851 Speedster, a Shelby GT350 and a Cadillac Fleetwood (used by former Peruvian Presidents as well as visiting dignitaries such as Charles de Gaulle and Richard Nixon).
Founded in 1874, the La Salvadora Fire Company 10 is one of the oldest in Peru. While not solely a transport museum, the fire engines on display will no doubt be of interest to vehicle aficionados. There are two engines housed in the museum: an 1898 Merryweather and a 1920 Magirus Deutz.
The Italia Volunteer Fire Company Number 5 was established at around the same time as the La Salvadora Company above. The company museum contains equipment and vehicles used by the fire brigade over the last 150 years.
Museo Aeronáutico del Perú
The Aeronautical Museum of Peru is located at the Las Palmas Air Base in a building that once served as the headquarters of the Officer’s School for the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (Peruvian Air Force). The museum traces the history of aviation both in Peru and globally, starting with the imaginings of Leonardo de Vinci and moving on to the Wright brothers and Peruvian flight pioneers such as Santiago de Cardenas and Pedro Ruiz Gallo. Visitors can also learn about Jorge Chavez Dartnell, the Peruvian aviator who died while attempting the first air crossing of the Alps, and Pedro Paulet Mostajo, a Peruvian scientist considered by some as one of the fathers of aeronautics. The museum also houses models and replicas of early flying machines.
- Address: Base Aérea Las Palmas, Santiago de Surco, Lima
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Entrance: by previous appointment
- Phone: (51-1) 213-5200 extension 6005 (also try 472-3491)
- Email: musarperu@hotmail.com
- Website: www.incaland.com/MuseoFAP/
Museo del Automovil Coleccion Nicolini
The Automobile Museum - Nicolini Collection houses one of the most extensive classic car collections in South America, with 120 vehicles built between 1901 and 1973. Some notable cars include a 1901 Boyer Voiturette, an Allard K2, an Auburn 851 Speedster, a Shelby GT350 and a Cadillac Fleetwood (used by former Peruvian Presidents as well as visiting dignitaries such as Charles de Gaulle and Richard Nixon).
- Address: Avenida La Molina (block 37), Urbanización El Sol de La Molina, La Molina, Lima
- Hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Entrance: adults S/.20; children S/.10
- Phone: (51-1) 368-0373
- Website: www.museodelautomovilnicolini.com
Museo de la Compañía de Bomberos La Salvadora 10
Founded in 1874, the La Salvadora Fire Company 10 is one of the oldest in Peru. While not solely a transport museum, the fire engines on display will no doubt be of interest to vehicle aficionados. There are two engines housed in the museum: an 1898 Merryweather and a 1920 Magirus Deutz.
- Address: Jr. De la Unión (calle Belén) 1027, Lima
- Hours: by previous appointment
- Entrance: free
- Phone: (51-1) 428-0288
- Website: none
Museo Compañía de Bomberos Voluntarios Italia N° 5
The Italia Volunteer Fire Company Number 5 was established at around the same time as the La Salvadora Company above. The company museum contains equipment and vehicles used by the fire brigade over the last 150 years.
- Address: Avenida Alejandro Granda (block 3, no number), Urbanización Stella Maris, Callao (wider Lima Metropolitan Area)
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (prior appointment may be necessary)
- Entrance: free
- Phone: (51-1) 429-0318
- Email: pompaitalia@hotmail.com
- Website: none, but the company does have a Facebook page