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PRE-COLUMBIAN PERIOD:
In the very ancient times, there was a fishermen village
in the area, whose inhabitants were essentially
religious. Later on, the Proto-Lima culture appeared
comprising two expressions: the Maranga and the Aramburu.
The cultures in the Lima valley were developed by three
people: the Collas coming from Canta and Huarochiri, the
Huanchos who came following the course of the Rimac
river, and the Huallas who entered the valley through
Carabayllo.
When the Incas arrived, they respected their buildings,
way of living and religion, allowing them to worship the
new God Pachacarnac along with their own god the Sun.
HISPANIC PERIOD:
The city of Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on
January 18, 1535, reaching its greatest splendor in the
17th and 18th centuries, during which it came to be the
seat of the political and military power represented by
the viceroy.
During the reign of the Austrians and Borbon dynasties,
a succession of 40 viceroys occupied the Government
house.
During this period of 282 years, religious life
'flourished. This being the time of Santa Rosa of Lima,
Patron Saint of Peru, America and the Philippines, the
world known San Martin de Porras, Patron Saint of
barbers and hairdressers, and also San Juan Masias.
REPUBLICAN PERIOD:
General Jose de San Martin, proclaimed the independence
of Peru in Lima on July 28, 1821.
It was later, during the government of Mariscal Ramon
Castilla, that Lima took an advanced step over the
cities of the American continent by implementing a
railroad for the first time in South America between the
cities of Lima and Callao. It was also during this
period that gaslight and the telegraph were installed
and black slavery was abolished.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
PLAZA DE ARMAS (Main Square): It was Francisco Pizarro,
the founder of Lima who determined the area for the
square, as well as the location for the Government House
(now Government Palace), the Cathedral and the Cabildo
(Town Hall). Today, this square continues to occupy the
same original area, in the middle of which there is a
splendid bronze fountain dating back to 1650.
THE CATHEDRAL: It was initially devoted to Our Lady of
Assumption. Almost entirely destroyed during the 1746
earthquake, the Viceroy Jose Antonio Manso de Velasco
Conde de Superunda had it rebuilt in 1758. Its interior
is remarkable for the intricate carving work of the
wooden seats of the choir, the heavily ornamented "Inmaculada"
chapel of baroque style and an ivory Christ carved by
Martinez Montañez, a splendid gift from King Charles V
Entering the church and to the fight there is a chapel
which holds the remains of the conqueror Francisco
Pizarro. In the sacristy there is a museum of religious
art.
GOVERNMENT PALACE: Also known as the House of Pizarro
because since the foundation of Lima, this was the place
where the conqueror worked and lived until his death in
1541. It has magnificent halls such as the Salon Dorado
where important paintings are exhibited. It also has an
elegant area which is the official residence of the
President of Peru. It is recommended to attend the
change of guard which takes place daily at 11:45 am. at
the front esplanade
SANTO DOMINGO CHURCH AND MONASTERY: (Comer of Conde de
Superunda and Camana Streets). Dates from the end of the
l6th century. On the left, the Virgin of the Rosary is
venerated. To the fight there is an altar for Peruvian
saints: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porras and San
Juan Masias. Under each of the images there is a silver
urn containing relics of these saints. The tower of the
church is of a singular architectural style, and the
monastery is one of the best preserved in Lima.
SAN PEDRO CHURCH: (Comer of Azangaro and Ucayali
Streets) This church was built by the Jesuits in 1624.
Its side aisles are notable for their arcades and
gold-leaf-covered altars of baroque style. Specially
remarkable are the altars of San Ignacio de Loyola and
Santa Lucia. The church houses numerous colonial
paintings and has a laboriously carved stone portico.
SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH: (Ancash Street, 2nd block) This
colonial architectural complex includes the monastery,
the church of San Francisco and the chapels of La
Soledad and El Milagro. The monastery, cloisters and
entrance hall are embelished with authentic Sevillian
tiles dating back to 1620. Also remarkable are its
Museum of Religious Art, the Zurbaran room and the
library. The complex was built over underground
galleries or catacombs which were used as cemeteries
during the colony. These can be visited.
LA MERCED CHURCH: Jiron de la Union Street 6th block)
This church has a notable stone portico (18th century).
Its main altar renders homage to the Virgin of the
Mercies, Patron Saint of the Armed Forces of Peru and
who holds the tide of Mariscala (marshal). In the fight
aisle, the Cruz del Padre Urraca (Padre Urraca's Cross)
is venerated because of his many miracles.
JESUS MARIA CHURCH: (Comer of Moquegua and Camana
Streets) Single aisle church with magnificent altars
carved on wood covered with gold leaf and baroque style
pulpit.
SANTA ROSA CHURCH AND SANCTUARY: (Tacna Avenue, I st
block) The church was built upon the place where Isabel
Flores de Oliva, Santa Rosa de Lima, was born (1586). It
keeps its relics and the famous doctorcito or image of
the Christ Child who is believed to have assisted her
when taking care of the sick people. In the garden are
the hermitage that she built with her brother and the
well in which the saint dropped the key of the lock of
her penitence waist chain.
THE NAZARENAS CHURCH AND CONVENT: (Comer of
Huancavelica. Street and Tacna Avenue). Built during the
colony upon the place that used to be the quarter of Pachacamilla, a place inhabited by descendants of black
slaves brought from Angola who had conformed a
confraternity. It is said that one of them painted an
image of Christ on the Cross upon a wall. This wall
remained unharmed in spite of a severe earthquake
(1655). It was since then that cult and devotion to the
image have considerably increased. A replica of the
painting, was made and it is carried throughout the
city, every October (I 8th, I 9th and 28th), in
impressive processions. The image is known as Señor de
los Milagros (Lord of the Miracles), Cristo Morado
(Christ in Purple) or Cristo de los Teniblores (Christ
of the Earthquakes) and is considered the Patron Saint
of Lima.
SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH: (Ica Street, 5th block) This
church dates back to 1544 and was the first parish in
Lima. It was here that Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Pon-as, Jose Santos Chocano and Francisco Bolognesi,
among other prominent Peruvians, were baptized. It has
been recently restored.
SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH: (Comer of Ica and Camana Streets) It
was built in the 19th century. Of its original structure
remains the baroquestile portico, the sacristy with
carvings in wood and in the foreroom, a beautiftily
carved ceiling, a tile skirting and also an impressive
wooden sculpture of La Muerte (Death) by Baltazar
Gavilan
SAN MARCELO CHURCH: (Comer of Rufino Torrico Street and
Emancipacion Avenue) It was founded by the Augustinian
congregation during the middle of the 16th century. Its
facade has expressions of baroque style.
MUSEUMS
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND
HISTORY. Plaza Bolivar in the district of Pueblo Libre.
Phone (51-1) 463-5070. Visits: Tuesday to Saturday from
9 am to 5:45 pm. Sundays, from 9 am to 4:45 pm.
Evidence of all cultures in the Peruvian civilization
are exhibited in a chronological and didactic way, being
the most interesting the collections of Chavin, Paracas,
Nasca, Mochica, Huari, Chimu, and Inca.
Paintings, objects, documents and relics of the colony,
emancipation, independence process and republican period
are exhibited in the adjoining manor house, which was
the residence of the viceroys Pezuela and La Sema and
Peru's libertadores San Martin and Bolivar
GOLD OF PERU MUSEUM: Alonso de Molina Street 1100 in the
district of Monterrico. Phone (51-1) 435-2917. Daily
visits from 12 am to 7 pm.
Exhibition of thousands of gold pieces such as
necklaces, funerary masks, scepters, ceremonial cups,
tumis (sacrificial knives), nose rings, earrings and
idols, which show how advanced were the gold and silver
works in ancient Peru. There is also a large collection
of weaponry from. different parts of the world.
RAFAEL LARCO HERRERA ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM: Bolivar
Avenue 1515 in the district of Pueblo Libre. Phone
(51-1) 461-1312 / 461-1835. Visits: Monday to Saturday
from 9 am to 6 pm. Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm.
Interesting collection of ceramics, textiles and gold
and silver work, specially from the northern
civilizations. There is also a room with erotic ceramics
and a vault containing pieces of gold and jewelry.
MUSEO DE LA NACION: (East Javier Prado Avenue 2465 in
the district of San BorJa. Phone (51-1) 476-9875 /
476-9901. Visits: Tuesday to Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm.
The most important aspects in the development of ancient
Peru are presented in impressive halls. There are also
replicas of archaeological sites, engravings and
dioramas.
AMANO MUSEUM: Retiro Street 160 in the district of
Miraflores. Phone (51-1) 442-2909. Visits are subject to
previous telephone appointment
Private collection of Mr. Yoshitaro Amano exhibiting
selected pieces of ceramics and textiles from the
Chancay culture.
ART MUSEUM: Paseo Colon Avenue 125. Phone (51-1)
423-4732. Visits: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Panoramic exhibition of Peruvian culture: pre-Columbian
ceramics and textiles, colonial furniture and
silverware, costumes and tapad~s (veiled women) and also
paintings from the Cusco School, as well as from the
Republican and Contemporary periods.
BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA MUSEUM: Comer of Lampa. and
Ucayali Streets. Phone (51-1) 427-6250. Visits: Tuesday
to Friday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Saturdays and Sundays
from 10 am to 1pm.
Pre-Columbian ceramics, coins and paintings, among other
collection pieces.
SAN FRANCISCO DE JESUS MUSEUM: Ancash Street, 3rd Nock
Daily visits from 10 am to 5:45 pm.
Liturgical pieces from the colonial period, carvings and
paintings by Zurbaran.
MUSEUM OF THE CONGRESS AND THE INQUISITION: Plaza del Congreso Square, also known as Plaza Bolivar and Plaza
de ]a Inquisicion. Phone (51-1) 427-0365. Visits: Monday
to Friday: 9 am to I pm. and 2 to 6 pm. Saturdays: from
9 am to 1pm.
The audience chamber has a splendid carved ceiling. The
original cells show inscriptions made by the prisoners.
There are also on-the-site reproductions of the
punishments inflicted by order of the Holy Office
Tribunal.
MUSEUM OF PERUVIAN CULTURE: Alfonso Ugarte Avenue 650.
Phone (51-1) 423-5892. Visits: Tuesday to Friday from 10
am to 2:30 pm. Saturdays from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
Exhibition of Peruvian popular art (ceramics, textiles,
leather work and religious images).
JAVIER PRADO MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SAN MARCOS
MAJOR UNIVERSITY
Arenales Avenue 1256 in the district of Lince. Phone
(51-1) 471-0117. Visits: Monday to Saturday from 9 to 12
am. Sundays from 9 am to 1pm.
Collection of Peruvian flora and fauna specimen and
minerals, started by Italian investigator Antonio
Raimondi. Interesting dioramas.
MUSEUM OF ITALIAN ART: Pasco de la Republica Avenue, 2nd
block - Parque Neptuno. Phone (51-1) 423-9932. Visits:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 2:30 pm.
Italian works of art from the last and present
centuries. Temporary expositions are regularly held.
CONVENTO DE LOS DESCALZOS MUSEUM:
Alameda de Jos Descalzos 202 in the district of Rimac.
Phone (51-1) 481-044 1. Visits: Thursday to Monday: 9:30
am to I pm. and 3 to 6 pm.
Valuable colonial paintings and religious objects.
CATHEDRAL MUSEUM OF RELIGIOUS ART: Main Square. Phone
(51-1) 427-5980. Visits: Monday to Friday: 10 to 12:45
am. and 2 to 4:45 pm.
Carvings, ornaments, paintings, furniture and liturgical
objects from the colonial period.
MUSEUMS IN THE MAIN QUARTERS OF THE SAN MARCOS MAJOR
UNIVERSITY: (Parque Universitano)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM: Phone (51-1)
428-0052. Visits: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm.
Exhibition of the Chavin collection as well as the
latest archaeological findings made by the University.
There is also a collection of interesting pre-Columbian
musical instruments.
ART AND HISTORY MUSEUM: Phone (51-1) 427-4870. Visits:
Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. Colonial
paintings, books, furniture, documents and Peruvian
popular art.
BULLFIGHTING MUSEUM: Hualgayoc Street 332 in the
district of Rimac - Plaza de Acho.
Paintings, costurnes, troomes and pictures of the most
renowned bullfighters .
MANSIONS
PALACIO DE TORRE TAGLE: (Ucayali Street, 3rd block)
Present headquarters of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. This mansion dates back to the early 18th
century. Its main particularity is the inspiration of
the Sevillian, Mudejar and criollo styles in its
architecture. It has a stone portico and two carved
balconies, considered the most beautiful in Lima.
CASA DE PILATOS: (Ancash Street 390)
Present headquarters of the National Cultural Institute.
Dating back to the 16th century, it has stone columns
and a monumental stairway facing the front door.
CASA ALIAGA: (Jiron de la Union Street 224)
When founding Lima (1535), Francisco Pizarro awarded to
conqueror Jeronimo de Aliaga a piece of land owned by
curaca Tauli Chusco (main authority in the Rimac valley)
which served as a pre-Columbian adoratorium. Upon this
land the conqueror built this mansion in which his
descendants have lived since then. An unsual case in
America.
CASA DE LAS TRECE MONEDAS: (Ancash Street 536)
Its name means The House of the Thirteen Coins. This
single-storey residence dating back to mid 18th century
still preserves its original architectural elements.
CASA DE LA RIVA: (Ica Street, 426)
An 18th century building. Now headquarters of the "Entre
Nous" Cultural Association.
CASA DE OQUENDO OR PALACIO DE OSAMBELA: (Conde de
Superunda Street 298)
Finished in 1807, this mansion has five balconies and a
mirador from which the first owner of the place, Don
Martin de Osambela watched with a spyglass the arrival
of galleons to the port in Callao.
CASA DE LA RIVA AGUERO: (Camana Street 459). Eighteen
century splendid mansion in which the Riva Aguero
Institute, and the Center for Humanistic Studies of the
Universidad Catolica, have their premises today. It also
houses the Popular Tradition and Art Museum, with its
selected exhibition of popular Peruvian art donated by
private collectors, the best of which are its masks and
religious images. |
