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The Instituto Riva-Agüero, School of high studies in Humanities, constitutes one of the most representative units of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru, in the world of culture. It is acknowledged at the national level as in the Spanish speaking world.

Not in vain is has the name of one of the most important humanists of the 20th century in Peru: Don Jose de la Riva-Agüero and Osma, who was also the great benefactor of this study house, In the years following his death in 1944, the University came into possession of Don José’s great fortune, that was bequeathed by his will.

The Instituto Riva-Agüero has its headquarters in the house where don José lived during his last years. Until 1974, the central administration of the university, the Faculty of Law and the Instituto Riva-Agüero itself were located in this building. Nowadays the only unit that has stayed in the colonial mansion is the Instituto, as well the owner’s personal belongings:  porcelain, furniture, and, especially, his invaluable library and personal and  historic archives that he gathers through his life, and now at the disposal of scholars in history, literature, linguistics and, in general, of all humanities. Both the archive and the library have been increased with the purchase, donation or cession for use of different collections, among them, the collection Degregri, documentation of Republic presidents as José Luis Bustamente y Rivero, and former directors and intellectuals as Víctor Andrés Belaúnde.

The Instituto fosters also the dissemination of the Peruvian culture through two museums. One that gathers the fruits of archeological work developed by the former Seminar of Archeology’s staff and another that safeguards Art and the Popular Traditions. In this way our institution continues to be valid, providing services through its academic units and research seminars.