ATRACTIVOS TURISTICOS EN LIMA
Main Square, Lima
It was the center of the old Colonial city. At its center, there is a seventeenth century bronze fountain.
Cathedral of Lima
Main Square. Telephone: (511) 427-9647. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
It is placed where the first Main Church of Lima was. The interior is austere, although it shelters real historic jewels like the finely carved wooden pews of the Baltasar Noguera choir, different side altars, and the remains of Francisco Pizarro.
Government Palace
Main Square. Telephone: (511) 311-3908. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 A.M. – 13:00 P.M. / 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
It was the residence of Francisco Pizarro (1535). Since then, the place has been the center of the political power in Peru. It features many patios and rooms dedicated to important people of Peruvian history and carefully decorated with notable art pieces. Every morning at 11:45 A.M., the Patio of Honor is the stage for the changing of the guard.
San Francisco Church and Convent
Jiron Ancash, block 3. Telephone: (511) 427-1381, extension 111. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:30 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
A seventeenth century architectural complex. It includes the church, the convent, and the square. The church main front was carved in stone and is characterized by its Corinthian columns. Additionally, the catacombs, which was a cemetery during the Colony, can be visited.
Presbyter Matias Maestro General Cemetery
Jiron Ancash, blocks 16 – 20. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Guided night visits are offered on the last Thursday of the month (except December). Telephone: (511) 385-2084 / 385-2117 (extension 233).
This was the first cemetery in Lima, inaugurated in 1808 . There are more than 766 Neo-classical mausoleums, some with notable statues and statuettes representing saints and the theological virtues.
Parque de la Muralla
Jiron Amazonas, block 1, close to Jiron Abancay, block 1. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. Free admission.
It houses a fragment of the restored old wall that surrounded Lima and was built in the seventeenth century to protect it from pirates and attacks from enemies of the Spanish crown.
Church and Convent of La Merced
Jiron De la Union 621. Telephone: (511) 427-8199. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
A sixteenth century Colonial architectural complex. The church maintains the granite facade that dates from 1687. The roof is finely decorated with plaster figures. The Neo-classical upper altar with the image of the Virgin of La Merced and a carven figure of Saint Michael the Archangel is the most important interior piece.
Aliaga House
Jiron De la Union 224. Telephone: (511) 427-7736. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
The main facade possesses a Republican era balcony. It has lovely patios; the first is covered in nineteenth century Italian marble and the second is adorned with an old bronze fountain.
Church of San Pedro
Jiron Ucayali 451. Telephone: (511) 428-3017. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:30 A.M. – 11:45 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Built in 1636, the first floor was inspired by the main Jesuit church in Rome and has three naves. What stands out is the magnificent Churrigueresque shrines and the space of the central naves that seem to be surrounded by paintings and tiles.
Torre Tagle Palace
Jiron Ucayali 323. Telephone: (511) 311-2400 / 311-2769. Visiting hours: Reservation required through the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
The construction of this two story building began in 1735. It is considered to be one of the best representations of the eighteenth century Lima residential architectural style. Notable items are the carved wooden balcony, Baroque chapel decorated with mirrors and Colonial paintings, and the carefully worked stone entrance.
Santo DomingoChurch and Convent
Intersection of Jirones Conde de Superunda y Camana. Telephone: (511) 427-6793. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Sunday and holidays: 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
The church has three naves with an impressive cupola and finely carved cedar pews in the choir. The convent walls are decorated with tiles from Seville, and the main room features Baroque carvings.
Santa Rosa de Lima Church and Monastery
Avenida Tacna, block 1; 4 blocks from the Main Square. Telephone: (511) 425-1279. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
The complex is made up of the Church and the Sanctuary. It was built between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries next to the house where Santa Rosa de Lima, patron saint of Lima, the Americas, and the Philippines, was born and lived.
Church of Las Nazarenas
Intersection of Jiron Huancavelica and Jiron Tacna. Telephone: (511) 423-5718. Visiting hours: 7:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
It was constructed in the second half of the eighteenth century on the old lands of the Colonial neighborhood, Pachacamilla. In the interior of the altar, like an urn, you see the image of the Lord of Miracles, an oil painting on a rough adobe wall.
According to tradition, during the seventeenth century, this image of Christ was painted by a black slave. It is the only wall that remained standing after the earthquakes of 1655, 1687, and 1746. Each year in October, a huge procession with the replica of the image of the Purple Christ, as he is also known, moves through the streets of Lima.
Parque de la Exposición
Intersection of the Avenidas 28 de Julio y Garcilaso de la Vega. Telephone: (511) 423-0133.Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. Web site: www.emilima.com.pe
The park houses monuments that correspond to the hundred years of independence. There are also areas dedicated to arts and entertainment like the PuppetIsland, the Open Theater, and the La Cabaña Theater.
China Town
Jiron Paruro, Barrios Altos.
It is one of the largest in South America. Walking through its streets means getting to know the customs and products of this millenial culture. Mainly, it is about eating the delicious food found in the numerous area restaurants called “chifas”. The Entrance Monument to Calle Capon is a nice architectural piece.
Los Descalzos Church and Convent
Alameda de los Descalzos. Telephone: (511) 481-0441. Visiting hours: Tues. – Sun. 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.
The convent was established at the end of the sixteenth century. It is characterized by its large and peaceful rooms where valuable paintings of the Lima, Cusco, and QuitoSchools are preserved.
Lookout on Cerro San Cristobal
You reach the lookout via Alameda de los Descalzos. Museum visiting hours: Mon. – Sun 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
In 1536, one of Francisco Pizarro’s first actions was to take the hill and place a cross on it. On the first Sunday of May, there is a pilgrimage to its summit. From there, with clear skies, it is possible to see the entire city of Lima and the coastal islands.
Acho Bull Ring
Jiron Hualgayoc 332, Rímac. BullfightingMuseum. Tel: (511) 482-3360. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Sun. – Upon reservation.
It was built in 1760. Acho is the oldest bullring on the American continent and the third oldest in the world. The BullfightingMuseum gathers a collection of relics like suits, capes, swords, muletas (small red cape on a stick), posters, and canvasses of famous painters. In October, Acho is the scene of the Bullfighting Exposition for the Lord of Miracles.
Real Felipe Fortress
Independencia Square (beginning of Avenida Saenz Peña). Telephone: (01) 429-0532.
Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Built in 1747, it was one of the most important fortresses in South America and played a significant role during the Colony, protecting the city from the attacks of pirates and corsairs.
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Callao Islands
It is possible to visit these islands from boats that depart from the piers of La Punta and Callao.
Visiting Hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 10 A.M.: upon reservation. 4 people minimum. Trip Duration: 4 hours.
Palomino Islands: Two islands. The first one has a wide variety of animal life with the most representative being the South American sea lion. The second island works as a shelter for the old and sick sea lions; that is why it is known as “The Hospital”.
San Lorenzo Island: The largest and tallest island off the coast of Peru. It is 8 kilometers / 5 miles long and 2,2 kilometers / 1,3 miles wide.
The archaeologist, Max Uhle, found a temple on the southern side of the island used for moon worship and a cemetery with over three thousand tombs containing utensils, knitted articles, and objects of gold and silver.
It is also known as the “Mysterious Island” because of the fascinating tales about pirates, hidden treasures, and historic remains that are spun about it. The bodies of the Dutch pirate, Jacobo L´Hemite, and those of other nineteenth century characters lie there. Eight cemeteries, where the corpses of Chilean soldiers who died during the War of the Pacific (Peru-Chile, 1879) lie, are also to be found there.
El Fronton Island: Also called “Island of the Dead” since it was a political prison during the Colonial and early Republican times. Among the prisoners there was Viceroy Blasco Nuñez de Vela, deposed in 1544. Later, it became a penitentiary for common criminals.