Antioquía Painted Village

Antioquía sits at about 1,500 metres up the Lurín valley, a small village of a few hundred people that in 2004 became the subject of a development project: an artist-led scheme painted every house facade in the centre with birds, flowers, suns and geometric patterns in strong colours, on the theory that a painted village would draw visitors and give the community an income beyond fruit farming. It worked to a degree - weekend traffic from Lima comes up for the day, and the village sells membrillo, apples, peaches and their derivatives - though the paint needs renewing and the sustainability of the model has been questioned. The valley itself is dry Andean foothills with terraces and orchards, the drive up passes through Cieneguilla, and above the village the road continues towards the Huarochirí highlands. It is a straightforward day out from Lima rather than a deep cultural encounter.

What you actually see

• The painted facades - birds, suns and flowers across the village centre.
• The 2004 project - an artist-led scheme intended to bring tourism income.
• The orchards - membrillo, apples and peaches sold in the square.
• The valley - dry Andean foothills and terraces on the Lurín.

When to go

Year-round; the valley escapes Lima's winter cloud, so June to October is sunny here. Weekends are livelier for food; weekdays are quiet. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Small - the painted section is a few streets and takes half an hour. Paint has faded and been repainted unevenly. Very quiet on weekdays, with little open. Two hours each way from Lima on a narrow valley road.

Nearby

Cieneguilla is down the valley; the Lurín valley continues to Pachacamac at the coast.