Take on Lima, Peru’s, Rich History This Summer

A marvel of colonial history, Lima, Peru, is home to countless churches, palaces, cathedrals and mansions, many dating back to the city’s founding by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. This summer, immerse yourself in the history by visiting these magnificent sites. To begin, stand on Plaza de Armas, the center of the capital, and take in views of the city’s historic core, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ornate buildings surround this square and serve as the perfect beginning to a historic tour of the city.

© PROMPERU

Elegant Palaces

The Presidential Palace sits across from Plaza de Armas and is the official residence of the president of Peru and the executive branch of the government. Sometimes referred to as House of Pizarro, the original structure dates to 1535 but, due to an earthquake, was rebuilt in 1924. Another palace is Archbishop’s Palace, also imitated in 1535 and rebuilt in 1924. This building features a neo-colonial granite façade and Baroque ornamentation. Today, the palace is home to the Archbishop of Peru and is the headquarters for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima.

Casa Aliaga © PROMPERU

Magnificent Mansions

Lima’s first colonial mansion was built by founder Pizarro’s senior commander, Captain Jerónimo de Aliaga. The mansion, Casa Aliaga, has been owned and inhabited by his descendants for 18 generations and boasts a wide variety of architecture from different eras, as well as a wealth of artwork and historic objects. Visitors can reserve a guided excursion of the oldest part with a tour company or private guide approved by the family still living there.

Other beautiful mansions include Casa Riva Agüero, a house built in 1760 by the Aguero family. The mansion now houses important city archives, a library and Folk Art Museum. One of the best examples of colonial architecture in Lima is Palacio de Torre Tagle, built in 1730. While walk-ins aren’t allowed, visitors can arrange a private tour.

© PROMPERU

Grand Churches

Founder Pizarro laid the foundation stone for the grand Plaza de Armas the same day he bestowed his commander Aliaga with a land grant. This is marked by a 17^th-century bronze fountain in the center where, nearby, Pizarro placed the first stone for a church on the east side. Elevated to cathedral status in 1541, Cathedral of Lima has undergone frequent alterations and reparations over the year, once because of an earthquake. The cathedral features a vaulted ceiling, 13 chapels, a museum with valuable religious artwork, and a glass coffin with a sarcophagus containing the remains of Pizarro. In 1977, the founder’s damaged skull was found beneath the cathedral’s twin towers, revealing he died by sword during a 1541 coup.

One block northeast of Plaza de Armas is the Church and Monastery of San Francisco. This yellow building was originally built in 1557 but was damaged in a 1656 earthquake. Reconstructed and renovated over the years, the complex features a decorated church and monastery where monks once lived, ate and studied, as well as library shelves with hundreds of thousands of books in English, Spanish and Quencha, many dating between the 16^th and 20^th centuries. Braver visitors can also visit the catacombs beneath the church with the remains of about 25,000 people.