The hill is part of the Rimac valley mountain range and got its name in 1535, shortly after the Spaniards erected a large cross on the side of the hill. The site was selected because it was the closest hill to the majorly populated areas of Lima, meaning the majority would be able to see and visit the cross.
Since its construction, the cross has stood atop the hill looking over Lima, and although damaged by native tribes over time, it has prevailed. On a clear day (unlike the one when I visited) it is possible to see most, if not all, of Lima from the side of this hill. Even on the day I went, as overcast and drizzly as it was, I could see a vast majority of the city, from the colorful slums right below me, to the districts of San Isidro, Miraflores, and Barranco off in the distance.
Cerro San Cristobal is a site of pilgrimage for many Peruvians. The first Sunday of May and Easter Sunday are two days when masses of people flock to this cross, covering the entire hillside.
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