Trujillo is the capital of the Department of Liberty, considered the third largest city in Peru. It was founded in 1534 by the Spanish conquistador Diego de Almagro long before Lima was founded.

Within its metropolitan area, the existence of two archaeological zones is discovered: Chan Chan, an adobe city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, and the Huacas del Sol and de la Luna, the Huaca del Sol being the largest pyramid pre-Columbian adobe in the country.

Among the most representative cultural events of the city are the International Spring Festival, the International Book Fair and the Marinera National Festival.