Culture Guide

Lima is known for its rich historical and cultural past. Long before the Spaniards arrived several other cultures with highly advanced skills in construction, agriculture and arts settled the area of today's Lima. The Spanish colonist added to this legendary cultural legacy. Based on the model of Spanish cities, the "City of the Kings" arose and soon Lima became the political, economic, cultural and religious center of the Spanish colonies in South America. A completely different culture with European and Moorish influence mixed with the indigenous cultural and religious inheritance.

Everywhere visible in Lima is how these ancient cultures melted with modern factors. Amazing archaeological sites like the "Huacas" (Adobe pyramids) are spread over the city and are worth a visit. A must for every Lima visitor is the Historic City Center with amazing buildings, plazas and churches from Colonial times. Don't miss the numerous museums, displaying a huge variety of Lima's and Peru's culture from antique and traditional to modern and contemporary. Theatres, cinemas and Cultural Centers complete Lima's cultural scene.

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Cathedral of Lima

Historical Churches & Convents
Already on the foundation day of Lima (18th of January 1535) the ground breaking ceremony for the Cathedral of Lima took place. While the first church was quite simple, constant necessary repairs due to damages caused by numerous earthquakes and expansions incl. three additional naves and a side chapel in the 17th century gave Lima an immense Ba...

Lima Main Square

Plazas (City Squares)
The Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas (as it was known until 1990), is the oldest public place in Lima. In 1535 the conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded on the area of an existing indigenous settlement the city of Lima. He designed a main square in the central part of the future city Lima with all important institutions built around it.
Mario Testino is one of the world's most influential photographers, well-known for his pictures of the British Royal family, his work with famous actors and beauties for the greatest international magazines, his creative exhibitions and books. In July 2012 he realized a new project, MATE - the Mario Testino Association in Lima's bohemian distric...

San Martin Square

Plazas (City Squares)
The Plaza San Martin, inaugurated in 1921 to honour the first centenary of Peruvian independence, is one the largest and most beautiful squares in Lima. It is dedicated to General Jose de San Martin, a key leader for the struggle of independence in Southern America and together with Simon Bolivar the second liberator of Peru. He declared Peru's ...

Church and Convent of San Francisco

Historical Churches & Convents
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 Lati...

The Adobe Pyramid Pucllana (Juliana)

Huacas (Adobe Pyramids)
The Archaeological Complex "Huaca Pucllana" was an Administrative and Ceremonial Center of the Lima Culture, a society that developed at the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD. In today's district of Miraflores the "Huaca Pucllana" was built around 500 AD. "Pucllana" is one of the most important ancient monuments in Lima.
Housed in a lovely restored 18th century viceroyalty-era mansion that was built over a 7th century pre-Colombian pyramid and surrounded by the most beautiful and tranquil gardens, the Larco Museum in Lima is a true jewel in the city’s museum scene.

Bolivar Square

Plazas (City Squares)
The Plaza Bolivar is also known under the name Plaza de la Inquisiciòn and Plaza del Congreso. The plaza has seen a lot of Limas history. The original site was until 1949, when the Av. Abancay was extended and the plaza reconstructed, much bigger and housed during Colonial times the Iglesia de Santa Maria de La Caridad (a charity for the poor in...

Church and Sanctuary of Saint Rose of Lima

Historical Churches & Convents
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.

Presidential Palace

Historical Buildings
In 1535 Francisco Pizarro founded Lima and built his "palace" exactly on the same place where the main authority of the Rimac Valley at this time, the curazco Taulichusco, had his residence. When Lima was granted the title of Viceroyalty the "Casa de Pizarro" became the first Spanish Viceroys Palace in Lima.
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