Places to visit in Lima

Lima City of Kings

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, on a coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It forms a contiguous urban area with the seaport of Callao.

Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as La Ciudad de los Reyes, or “The City of Kings.” It became the most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru and, after the Peruvian War of Independence, was made the capital of the Republic of Peru.
Today around one-third of the Peruvian population lives in the metropolitan area,Lima has beautiful places to visit in a tour.

Cathedral of Lima

There are also 14 lateral doors; one of them is in front of Calle de Judíos (Jewish street) and the second one next to Patio de los Naranjos (Orange tree yard, connected to the Cathedral). At the back there are 2 more doors: Santa Apolonia and San Cristóbal. At the front facade are sculptures of the Apostles and in the middle, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Next to the Cathedral are the Parroquia del Sagrario (one of the oldest ones in Lima) and the Archbishop’s Palace.The Basilica Cathedral of Lima is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the Main Plaza of downtown Lima, Peru. It started its construction in 1535. It has been transformed many times, but it still conserves its colonial composition and facade.
From outside, there are 3 doors on the front facade, like any other cathedral. The main facade (the middle one) is called Portada del Perdón. There, at the top is inscribed the Peruvian seal, instead of Lima’s coat-of-arms and the phrase “Plus Ultra”.

Inside, along the lateral salons you can see big pictures of the Via Crucis. John Paul II visited this church twice (1985 and 1988). This is commemorated with signs at the entrance.

At the left salon we can see, in the first chapel, the ancient baptistery. There you can see a beautiful image of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza, who presides over the events during Cuaresm and Holy Week. During a recent restoration, ancient pictures were found in this chapel that are now able to be seen by the public. The next chapel is Capilla de la Sagrada Familia (chapel of the Holy Family), featuring figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Gold Museum

Important and famous private collection owned by the Mujica Gallo Family that became well known as Peruvian Gold Museum. It shows objects and jewelers of incalculable value in gold, silver and others metals that belong to diverse Pre-Columbian cultures. This museum also exhibits an import collection of Old and Modern Weapons that ranks among the best in the world, the trip will also let us to see part of residential Modern Lima and the Friendship Park featuring an imposing Moorish Arch inaugurated by King of Spain.

The Gold of Peru Museum holds the most important pieces in gold, silver and gilded copper from a number of Peru’s different pre-Columbian cultures, including Lambayeque, Chimú, Mochica, Nazca, Frias, Huari, Vicus and Inca Culture.

Museum of the nation

The Museum of the Nation (Museo de la Nación) is one of two major museums of Peruvian history in Lima, Peru. The other, larger, and more famous museum in Lima is the Peruvian National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History.

The Museum of the Nation houses thousands of authentic artifacts spanning the entire span of human occupation in Peru, including an impressive collection of Moche, Nazca, and Wari ceramics. The museum also houses reproductions of many famous ancient Andean artifacts, most notably the Lanzón, a recreation of the burial chamber of the Lord of Sipan (El Señor de Sipán), and the famous Revolt of the Objects Mural.

Archaeological sanctuary of Pachacamac

The temple of Pachacamac is an archaeological site 40 km southeast of Lima,Peru in the Valley of the Lurín River. It had at least one pyramid, cemetery and multicolored fresco of fish by the Early Intermediate period (c. 200-600 CE). Later, the Huari (c. 600-800 CE) sponsored construction of the city, probably using it as an administrative center. A number of Huari influenced designs appear on the construction in this period and on the ceramics and textiles found in the cemeteries of this period. After the collapse of the Huari empire Pachacamac continued to grow as a religious state. The majority of the common architecture and temples were built at this stage (c. 800-1450 CE).

The Ichma joined the Inca empire and Pachacamac became an important administrative center. However the Inca maintained it as a religious shrine and allowed the Pachacamac priests to continue functioning independently of the Inca priesthood. This included the oracle, whom the Inca presumably consulted. The Inca built five additional buildings, including a temple to the Sun on the main square.

Monastery of San Francisco

Convento de San Francisco is the Spanish name for Saint Francis Monastery located in Lima, Peru. The building is noted for its 17th century architecture, a high example of Spanish Neoclassicism. Catacombs are built under the monastery, and are said to connect to other catacombs beneath the cathedral and other area churches. The convent’s library is world-renowned. The church was completed in 1674.