The Lima International Exhibition (Exposicion Internacional de 1872) was held in the Park of the Exposition, Lima, in 1872 to attract foreign investment, demonstrate Peru's progress[2] and to mark fifty years since Peru's independence[3] The Peruvian president José Balta had ordered the demolition of the Walls of Lima in 1870 and the establishment of the Park of the Exposition to host the exhibition.

[4] The park was designed by Manuel Atanasio Fuentes [es] and Antonio Leonardi[4] and opened on 1 July 1872.

[5] During the fair there was a botanic garden, a Chinese pavilion and displays of modern machinery and of pre-Columbian art.

[2] There was also a Huaca, a Chinese pavilion, a dovecote, a lake with swans[6] and a large clock.

[6][5] The clock, 'The great clock of Lima', designed by Pedro Ruiz Gallo was installed in a tower and as well as the time had six dials showing century date, year, month, week, day and phases of the moon, incorporated an organ and a 3x1 metre oblong to show a different historical picture every 25 hours.