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Historical Churches & Convents in Lima Below you see a list of 12 Historical Churches & Convents in Lima (Selection = ALL)
Lima is not only the City of Kings but also the City of Churches. Especially in the city center (Spanish = Cercado de Lima) you will find nearly at every corner a church, most of them dating back to colonial times. By the 17th century Lima was the economical and political heart of the Spanish colonies in South America and on the other hand the religious focus point. Lima developed in Peru to the centre of suppression measures against the indigenous population. The Inquisition of the Catholic Church was fighting strict against native religious customs, rites and local medical practices. Exactly this unpleasant fact made it possible, that we find today an uncountable number of magnificent religious buildings in Lima whose architectural beauty and distinctiveness can be admired. Thanks to the efforts of the City of Lima, a lot of churches were restored over the last years and are now shining in new magnificence. Lima has quite severe air pollution and combined with the weather conditions this contributes greatly to the deterioration of the historical buildings. Regardless if Cathedral or small town chapel every church in Lima has its special charm. So take your time, wander around and enjoy plenty examples of remarkable craftsmanship.  City Center  Cathedral(Cathedral of Lima) Already on the foundation day of Lima, the 18th of January 1535, the ground breaking ceremony for the 'Cathedral of Lima' took place. But during the construction heavy earthquakes damaged the church badly and it had to be repaired over and over again. Finally in 1645 the work was accomplished. Reiterated smaller and bigger earthquakes, especially the one from 1746, harmed the church over and over again and therefore asked for a lighter construction. Consequently the Cathedral of Lima was altered once again and repaired.
Plaza Mayor (on the eastside, between Jr. Junín and Jr. Huallaga), City Center, Lima
City Center Convent(Church and Convent of San Francisco) The Church and Convent of San Francisco is besides the Cathedral of Lima probably the most significant religious complex in Lima. The church with the impressive main portal, the affiliated convent and the two churches of 'El Milagro' and 'La Soledad' form together the most successful and impressive monument of Colonial architecture in whole Latin America. If you like to get a feeling about how the religious life was during Spanish colonial times, here you get the right impression. Very recommendable is a guided tour through the monastery. The tour takes about one hour and is in Spanish or English.
Plazuela San Francisco, Corner Jr. Ancash with Jr. Lampa, City Center, Lima
City Center Church(Church and Sanctuary of Saint Rose of Lima) The Church of Saint Rosa was built at the place where Santa Rosa of Lima (the patron saint of Lima and the Philippines) was born. The Dominican sister established in her parents’ home a hospital for the poor. Here she nursed and healed these forgotten people in a remarkable dedicated and sacrificing way. Some of her relics and the ‘Little Doctor’, an image of the Jesus Child that performed miraculous healing's through Santa Rosas prayers, are kept in the church. Santa Rosa de Lima is celebrated on the 30th of August every year. This feast is one of the most important religious celebrations in Lima.
Corner of Av. Tacna and Jr. Conde de Superunda, City Center, Lima
City Center Church(Church of the Nazarenas) Church of the Nazarenas is a real architectural jewel built in the style of the rococo on the grounds of the old black ghetto of Pachacamilla. The history books tell us that in 1651 a black slave from Angola painted the image of the crucified Jesus on the wall of one of the barracks and like usual in Africa, all slaves paid homage to this painting by night. Despite several heavy earthquakes this portrait remained intact what increased the admiration for it more and more. Even after the disastrous earthquake of 1655 the portrait still remained untouched; a copy was made and carried through the streets of Lima.
Corner of Jr. Huancavelica 515 and Av. Tacna, City Center, Lima
City Center Convent(Church and Convent of Santo Domingo) The Church and Convent of Santo Domingo date back to the end of the 16th century. The church is famous in Lima for being the only one with a 'real' steeple, which in consequence of the construction over several stages has a very peculiar style. Inside the church are the oldest choir stalls of Lima, the famous statue of the Virgen del Rosario and the silver urns that contain the relicts of Santa Rosa (the patron saint of Lima) and San Martín de Porres (the first black saint). The monastery is one of the best preserved ones in whole Lima.
Corner of Jr. Conde Superunda with Jr. Camana, City Center, Lima
City Center Convent(Church and Convent San Pedro) This Jesuits church is one of the gorgeous religious buildings of the 17th century in Lima. From the outside it might look very simple but that makes the inside even more magnificent. Extremely remarkable are the arcades and the altars decorated with gold. Worth mentioning are the numerous religious paintings from Colonial times.
Corner of Jr. Azángaro and Jr. Ucayali, City Center, Lima
City Center Church(Church La Merced) The original church was a small wooden construction and was built already before the foundation of Lima. In it the first Holy Mass of Lima was celebrated (1534). Today many faithful still come to the church every day, to adore the cross of ‘Padre Urraca’, who is believed to have performed many wonders. The traffic on the street outside is heavy but the inside of the church impresses you with its stone arcades. Take your time and admire the outstanding facade.
Jr. de la Unión 621, City Center, Lima
City Center Church(Church San Agustin) At the end of the 19th century the Church San Agustin (built in 1574) was due to severe damages caused by artillery fire during the civil war, close to collapse. After the war the church was rebuilt to resemble the look as it was at the beginning of the 18th century. Worth seeing are the arcades, the choir stalls with remarkable wooden carvings, the beautiful ceiling and the impressive wooden sculpture La Muerte (The Death).
Corner Jr. Ucayali and Jr. Camana, City Center, Lima
City Center Church(Church of Jesus, Maria and Joseph) The origins of the Church of Jesus, Maria and Joseph date back to 1678, but it was almost completely destroyed by the severe earthquakes in 1687 and 1746. Today you will find a simple church with the distinctive charm of a typical small town chapel. Lovely are the magnificent altars decorated with gold leaves.
Corner of Jr. Moquegua and Jr. Camana, City Center, Lima
City Center Church(Church of San Sebastián) The Church of San Sebastián was built in 1544 and is one of the oldest buildings in Lima. Santa Rosa de Lima (the patron saint of Lima) and San Martín de Porres (the first black saint) were baptized here. After the massive earthquake from 1940 that damaged the small church severely, it was beautifully rebuild. Worth seeing are the baptismal font made of marble and the ornaments of the richly decorated altar from Granada.
Jr. Ucayali and Jr. Chancay, City Center, Lima
Rimac Convent(Convent of the Descalzos) The museum within the Convento de los Descalzos shows about 300 precious paintings of the ‘Lima, Cusco and Quito School’. Fascinating are the numerous old books and volumes. Take a guided tour (Spanish & English) and you will be led through the convent. Interesting to see are the cells of the monks, the dining room, the small infirmary, the pharmacy and two old chapels.
Alameda de los Descalzos 202, Rimac, Lima
City Center Cemetery(Presbitero Maestro Cemetery) The Presbitero Maestro Cemetery was built between 1805 and 1808 on the former outskirts of Lima and was the first municipal cemetery in Latin America. This impressive and beautiful historical Sanctuary houses the final resting places of many historical important personalities, but is still in use. The neoclassical complex contains the largest collection of 19th century European marble sculptures in Latin America. It’s absolutely worth seeing!
Calle Ancash, block 16-20 (Av. Cementerio), Barrios Altos, City Center, Lima
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