Created as the country gained independence from Spain , this department was later broken up into five other constituencies in the north of Peru . In more remote times the region had hosted the large urban centres of the sophisticated Moche and Chimu peoples.

Chan Chan archaeological centre – Huacas (or burial grounds) of the Sun and the Moon.

In Pacasmayo:
Ruins of Pacatnami – Kanchape – Namul – Wasi Waman – Sin Gan – Huaca Rayada – Moro Moro – Huaca del Chino – Kostalech – Huaca de Sin San – Huaca de Naumpol – ruins of Chocofin.

In Huamachuco:
Sausaco lagoon – ruins of Marcajiamachuco.
Trujillo , the regional capital, hosts annual events such as the Festival de la Marinera. a traditional Peruvian coastal dance. The typical canoes known as caballitos de totora ("little reed horses") may be admired at Huanchaco and other superb beaches.

Museums include Trujillo University 's archaeological museum, the Zoology museum, the Cathedral and State museums, and the Cassinelli collection.

The Cathedral (or Lesser Basilica), an imposing church with many fine paintings by Cuzco School artists, is in the Plaza de Armas; dating from 1666, it was destroyed in 1759 and rebuilt, with changes, in 1768-1781. Other churches: Santa Clara, San Francisco, Santa Ana, La Compania, La Merced, Monasterio del Carmen.