Historic Center of Lima (Peru)

Historic Center of Lima (Peru)

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The Historic Center of Lima is located in the Rimac Valley and was founded by Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro. Lima was the political, administrative, religious and economic capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America.

Historic Center of Lima

The Historic Center of Lima, originally named 'Ciudad de Los Reyes' (City of the Kings), is located in the Rimac Valley and was founded by Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro in January 1535 on the territories led by the Chiefdom of Rimac.

Lima was the political, administrative, religious and economic capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America.

The city played a leading role in the history of the New World from 1542 to the 18th century when the creation of the Viceroyalties of New Granada (1718) and La Plata (1777) gradually put an end to the omnipotence of the oldest Spanish colony on South America.

The evangelization process brought several religious orders by the end of the 16th century. They gained significant recognition, translating into the construction of many churches and convents of great extension and sophistication. Also, hospitals, schools and universities were built. For example, San Marcos University was built in 1551.

Although severely damaged by earthquakes, this 'City of the Kings' was, until the middle of the 18th century, the capital and most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America.

From the 17th century until 1870, the city was surrounded by walls. As a result, many public works built during the Viceroyalty period are important Historic monuments today.

World Heritage Site

Lima's historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 for its originality and high concentration of landmark monuments constructed during the Spanish presence.

Many of its buildings, such as the Convent of San Francisco (the largest of its type in this part of the world), result from collaboration between local craftspeople and others from the Old World.

Lima's social and cultural life was organized within these places, thus giving the Historic Center a convent image that characterized the urban profile of the city until half of the XX century.

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Principal Monuments

  • Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas of Lima): the birthplace of Lima, as well as the city's core, is surrounded by the Government Palace, Cathedral of Lima, Archbishop's Palace of Lima, the Municipal Palace, and the Club of the Union.

  • Archbishop's Palace: opened in 1924 and is considered a prime example of neo-colonial architecture that flourished in Lima during the early twentieth century. It is located on land allocated initially by Pizarro as the residence of the head priest of Lima.

  • Basilica Cathedral of Lima: construction of the basilica, a well-known symbol of the city, began at the city's founding in 1535. Due to the earthquakes that frequently devastated the city, it has been transformed many times.

  • Government Palace: also known as the House of Pizarro, is the residence of the President of Peru.

  • Torre Tagle Palace: a Spanish Baroque palace home to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  • Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo: construction of the church and convent began at the founding of Lima and was not completed until the end of the sixteenth century.

  • Basilica and Convent of San Francisco: Saint Francis Monastery is noted for its seventeenth-century architecture, a high example of Spanish Neoclassicism.

  • Merced Church: was constructed in the eighteenth century with a churrigueresco style and contains numerous works of art.

  • Sanctuary and Monastery of Las Nazarenas: built in the eighteenth century after the disastrous earthquake of 1746. The sanctuary holds the mural known as The Lord of Miracles (Jesus Christ), patron of the city.

  • Basilica of San Pedro: main church of the Society of Jesus in Peru, the building was constructed in 1638 as the Church of San Pablo Apóstol and renamed San Pedro

  • Plaza San Martin: inaugurated in 1921, on the centenary of Peru's independence, along with a monument in honor of General José de San Martín. Surrounding the plaza are the Bolivar Hotel and Club Nacional, patronized by the city's high society.

  • The Court of Santo Oficio was established in 1569 to sanction heresies and other crimes against the Catholic faith. Its abolition dates from 1820.

  • House of Aliaga: constructed in 1535 on the location of what was believed to be a site sacred to the indigenous peoples. It is Lima's oldest mansion, next to the Government Palace.

  • House of Oidor: one of the oldest homes of the city belonged to the Oidor, a special administrative representative appointed by the Spanish monarchy to act in the colonial administration

  • House of Pilatos: constructed in 1590 by a Jesuit priest. The name of this large house was given by the Spaniards who arrived and noted the similarity of the house with one in Seville.

  • Goyeneche House: one of the most outstanding houses of the historical center, constructed in the middle of the eighteenth century with French influence

  • Riva Agüero House: constructed in the eighteenth century by the Riva Agüero family, who donated it to the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru

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