We appreciate the valuable contribution of EricK López (Archaeologist) for this impeccable historical research on one of the icons of the city of La Libertad.
Throughout history, human nuclei with a city projection grow, become organized and shape the cultural landscape of their surroundings, with architectural elements in accordance with their idiosyncrasy, culture and technology of the time in which they were conceived and built.
These buildings and spaces define the particular urban identity of a town. Some will maintain the function that gave rise to them and others will vary, and may or may not survive to the present day.
Many disappear, remaining only in memories. The most fortunate ones will survive to this day, in varying degrees of preservation and integrity, thus becoming references of that urban historical past.
Every city has the right and duty to preserve those heritage elements that refer to its historical past, as they are the core of its identity, and also the basis of its tourist appeal, which is one more reason to preserve them.
The city of La Libertad, in the province of Santa Elena, preserves many elements that bear witness to its long history as a human settlement, even reaching the very thresholds of the first human presence in these lands. However, they are in danger of disappearing, putting them in a situation of “Heritage at Risk”.
A particular case is the old two-story house, which celebrated 100 years of existence a little over a month ago, and which is located on the streets of Guayaquil and Malecón, on a platform of the Guancavilca culture, and whose continuity is threatened by the interests of certain entities and people.
In 1910, Captain Aureliano Vera De la A, considered by Alejandro Guerra Cáceres as one of the most notable patriarchs and founders of La Libertad, hired the river carpenter Leopoldo Panchana Vera to build him a two-story wooden building in front of the beach, in the same location where it is today.
Considered in those years as one of the most beautiful and magnificent buildings in La Libertad, it has had several uses until today: residence of the Capt. Vera family, around 1938 Mr. Rean's Hotel Amazonas operated there, where the famous Silva Brothers Orchestra used to perform, later it acted as headquarters of the Officers' Casino of the Marañón Battalion.
In recent decades it has been the residence of descendants and heirs of Cap. Vera, and also of tenants who set up businesses on the ground floor, such as the Tailor's Shop of the maestro Del Pezo and the La Libertad billiards halls (1972); in more recent years the San Francisco printing press and the El Tigre restaurant, as well as other varied businesses such as political party headquarters, ice cream parlours, transport cooperative offices, and addiction support groups.
Today, it provokes various reactions in those who pass by the regenerated boardwalk of La Libertad. Although the vast majority only see it as an old wooden building, there are those who appreciate the architectural work and see in it a reference to the historical past of La Libertad that should be preserved and restored, which motivates curiosity and visits.
The historical, architectural and heritage significance of this property is more than undeniable, in addition to the fact that it is associated with a historical figure of relevance in the peninsula, such as Captain Aureliano Vera (1887-1962), who owned several houses in various cities, as well as salt mines, sloops and pailebots.
As if this were not enough, the house is situated on a pre-Hispanic platform from the Guancavilca era (Integration Period: 800 – 1535 AD), of the archaeological site known as OGSE-47, and thanks to the construction techniques of the property, consisting of piles and raised wooden floors, have allowed its conservation without major damage or modern intrusions into it.
In a future post we will present some legal considerations and the conflict of interest behind this identification.
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