Several years ago, the first USDG students arrived at this once vibrant campus, located in the El Valle sector, on the high hills east of San Antonio, bordering the deeper regions of Comas and Carabayllo. Years later, university reforms compelled this institution to start the licensing process by the National Superintendence of Higher University Education (Sunedu). However, by 2019, the entity denied the license, leading to the university’s decline, which is still evident today.
Dust Campus
The Trade reached its doors. Layers of dust cover the entire infrastructure, leaving only traces of some curious visitors who have ventured inside and a few vehicles that have recently passed through. The pavilions, once bustling with classes, stand opposite each other, separated by just over a hundred meters. Each building is six stories high. In the midst of them, sidewalks and barren gardens were once frequented by teachers and students during the university’s active years.
Pavilion A, located in the northern part of the campus, housed classrooms and the University Welfare offices. Across from it, Pavilion B, with a similar design, contained the Systems and Information Technology laboratory, the Languages laboratory, the Central Library, the University Auditorium, and the offices of the deans of Education and Engineering, the two disciplines offered at this neglected university. A third pavilion, spanning around 550 square meters and consisting of one floor, is situated between the two towers. Letters painted on its exterior indicate that it was ‘Pavilion C’, previously home to student shops.
The University had a planetarium, which was constructed behind Pavilion B. The entire structure remains intact.
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But the first sight upon entering is a decorated archway with a square door at the center, leading to extensive recreational areas and a building that was once known as ‘The Tower’. This was where the offices of the Rector, Vice-Rector, and other administrative offices were situated. Outside, remnants of bleachers, seats, and small concrete tables remain. An improvised volleyball net stretches across the concrete floor, and rusty basketball hoops still hang in place. The amphitheater, designed to amplify sounds, stands in stillness. Not a soul is present, only the foundations where countless statues, busts, and other sculptures once stood.
Over the long years, amidst the dusty and hot environment, only a few trees have managed to survive. Their presence creates a somber ambiance across the vast property, worthy of a thriller, contrasting sharply with the ghostly air enveloping this abandoned campus. Behind Pavilion B and a few meters higher, lies what was once the University’s planetarium.
The main entrance to USAG (left) was via the El Valle sector. At the entrance were the offices of the rector. To the right, you can see the three pavilions.
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The Mansion
The ‘mansion’ was constructed far from the populated areas of this sector of San Andrés de Chaclla. Today, it is part of a real estate project.
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Behind Pavilion A, situated on the northern side of the campus, a half-mile-long stepped path ascends to another striking structure that piques interest. Once at the top, one enters a spacious front patio, where paths resemble bridges spanning over what was once a lush and lively garden. In the now-barren flowerbed, a few trees endure the passage of time, along with a dozen wooden and iron benches. Some benches face the hill, while others overlook the deserted campus. However, all bear the USDG seal. In fact, this structure was built long before the campus, nearly twenty years ago.
This secluded mansion, as some explorers who have visited this site have labeled it, is actually a four-story building adorned with countless windows. Yet, it is surrounded by walls resembling those of a fortress. The structure, designed with numerous corners and reminiscent of a large old house, is in alignment with the campus’s architecture. From this vantage point, one can observe all activities within the university. Beyond this, the surroundings are merely stone and dust, interrupted by an electrical substation that fills the air with a monotonous hum.
At the front of the property, there was once a large garden, now only featuring the remnants of armchairs and a few trees that endure the local conditions.
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However, the tranquility of this isolated location is interrupted by the roar of a truck. The mansion and its surrounding land have seen some activity in recent months, as a real estate company has aimed to transform this secluded area into a sustainable housing project. The gate regulating access to this property indicates the project: Ciudad Munay El Mirador. A guard remains vigilant for those approaching the property.
Exploring the Abandoned USDG Campus: A Ghostly Journey Through Time
Several years ago, the first USDG students arrived at this once vibrant campus, located in the El Valle sector, in the highest part of the hills east of San Antonio, on the border with the deepest areas of Comas and Carabayllo. Years later, the university reform forced this House of Studies to begin the licensing process by the National Superintendence of Higher University Education (Sunedu). However, by 2019, the entity denied the license and the university began its abandonment, still palpable today.
Dust Campus
The Trade reached its doors. Layers of dust cover the entire infrastructure, leaving only the traces of some curious people who have entered its interior and some vehicles that have recently passed through. The pavilions where classes were once held are positioned opposite each other, separated by just over a hundred meters. Each building is six stories high. In the middle, sidewalks and dead gardens were walked by teachers and students during the university’s operational years.
Pavilion A, located in the northern part of the campus, housed classrooms and the University Welfare offices. Opposite, with a similar design, Pavilion B housed the Systems and Information Technology laboratory, the Languages laboratory, the Central Library, the University Auditorium, and the offices of the Education and Engineering deans—the two professions taught at this forgotten university. A third pavilion, measuring some 550 square meters and one floor, stands out between the two towers. Letters painted on its exterior reveal that it was ‘Pavilion C’, where shops for students were once found.
The University had a planetarium built behind Pavilion B. The entire structure remains intact.
/
But the first thing you see when you arrive at the entrance, a sort of decorated arch with a square door in the middle, are the extensive recreational areas and the building that was once called ‘The Tower’. This was where the offices of the Rector and Vice-Rector, along with other administrative offices, were located. Outside, the remains of bleachers, seats, and small concrete tables linger. The volleyball net, improvised on the concrete floor, and the rusty basketball hoops still remain. The amphitheater, built for acoustics, waits in silence. Not a soul in sight—just the foundations where countless statues, busts, and other sculptures once stood.
Over the long years and amidst the dusty and hot environment, only a few trees have survived, adding a dark feeling to this vast property, reminiscent of a thriller, contrasting with the ghostly atmosphere that envelops this forgotten campus. Behind Pavilion B and a few meters higher, remains what once was the University’s planetarium.
The main entrance to USAG (left) was via the El Valle sector. At the entrance were the offices of the rector. To the right, you can see the three pavilions.
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The Mansion
The ‘mansion’ was built far from the inhabited area of this sector of San Andrés de Chaclla. Today, it is part of a real estate project.
/
Behind Pavilion A, located on the north side of the campus, a half-mile-long stepped path ascends to another structure that generates great interest. Climbing the steps, visitors enter a large front patio, where paths form bridges over what was once a green and populated garden. In the now-dead flowerbed, some trees remain, resisting the passage of time, alongside a dozen wooden and iron benches. Some face the hill, while others look over the deserted campus. All bear the USDG seal. This place was built nearly twenty years ago, long before the construction of the campus itself.
This lonely mansion, as some have called it, is actually a four-story building featuring countless windows. It resembles an old house and is surrounded by fort-like walls. The structure acts as a watchtower, allowing oversight of everything that happens on campus. However, the surroundings are of stone and dust, interrupted only by an electrical substation that breaks the silence with a monotonous drone.
At the front of the property, there is what was once a large garden. Surviving armchairs and a few trees remain.
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A Glimmer of Hope: The Real Estate Project
Recently, activity has been noted around the mansion and the surrounding land after a real estate company sought to develop this unique space into a sustainable housing area. The gate that regulates access to this building reveals the project: Ciudad Munay El Mirador. A guard is present, attentively monitoring those who approach the property. This initiative aims to breathe new life into an area that has long been forgotten, preserving its history while providing modern living options.
The Architectural Legacy of USDG
- Unique Structures: The architecture of USDG is a representation of a bygone era of educational ambition, featuring expansive pavilions, recreational areas, and strategic layout for student interaction.
- Historic Significance: The campus has significant historical value, marking a period of educational reform and the challenges faced by private universities in Peru.
- Cultural Insights: The deterioration of such institutions offers insights into economic changes, societal shifts, and urban development in Peru.
Case Studies of Urban Abandonment
| Location | Year Abandoned | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| USDG Campus, El Valle | 2019 | Part of a real estate project |
| Old Industrial Area, Buenos Aires | 2005 | Converted into art spaces |
| Former Military Base, San Francisco | 2000 | Redeveloped into residential area |
First-Hand Experiences: Visiting the Abandoned Campus
Visitors who have ventured into the USDG campus often report feelings of nostalgia and melancholy. Comments from explorations include:
- “Walking through the pavilions felt like stepping into a time capsule—ghostly yet beautiful.”
- “The silence was profound, broken only by the wind whispering through the old trees.”
- “It’s hard to imagine the vibrant student life that once filled these spaces.”
The USDG campus stands as a reminder of the transient nature of education and the physical places that house it. As plans unfold for redevelopment, the narrative of this campus will continue to evolve.
