One of the most recommended countries to visit in South America is Peru. It has everything: varied nature, culture, history and a gastronomy that is delicious. The gateway is its capital, Lima.
Lima rests on the shores of the Pacific and it was founded by the Spanish conquerors in 1535 under the name of Ciudad de los Reyes. Luckily time wanted the colonial name to be buried by a local one, limaq, predecessor of the current Lima. Let's see what places to visit.
Historical center of lima
The founding of the city was the work of Francisco Pizarro, one of the most famous conquerors in America but surely one of the most suitable for the Crown. Like any colonial city, the old Ciudad de los Reyes was formed around a central square or Plaza Mayor. The lands around were given to the Church and the group of conquerors who followed it. The rest of the urban center was being configured from that nucleus.
Today this old part of the city makes up the so-called Historic Center and is the place to walk and get lost in its streets. Since 1988 it is a World Heritage Site and the award has been given to him because here is the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Cathedral of Lima, the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, Plaza Mayor, government palace, city Hall, San Martin Plaza, Barrio chino or the elegant Central Post Office.
These buildings were built from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth centuries, the oldest. The Iglesia de San Francisco It has an adorable Baroque façade topped by a wooden balustrade. Inside, the main altar is neoclassical and the 22th century sacristy is a beauty. Inside the church there are two cloisters, a beautiful dome, a valuable library, a choir 12 meters long by XNUMX wide with Baroque cedar stalls, catacombs and a museum.
There are around of 20 possible tours and guided tours are in Spanish and English. General admission to the museum costs 10 soles. The museum is open from 9 am to 8:15 pm, every day and the church the same but between 7 and 11 am and between 4 and 8 pm.
For its part, Lima cathedral It is on one side of the Plaza Mayor and its facade is Renaissance. It has tall towers with slate spiers and three central gates. In reality it is a temple of various styles and its layout emulates that of the Cathedral of Seville. It has three naves and two additional ones, which is where the chapels are, 15 in total. In addition to the choir stalls you can see the crypt of Francisco Pizarro, a work of mosaics that recall the conquest.
You will see the sarcophagus and its interior with the body of Pizarro somewhat detached from his head (it is believed that due to the manipulations it had since its discovery at the beginning of the XNUMXth century). It is strange to walk around here since the cathedral was built on a shrine and on the palace of the Inca prince ... Therefore, a layer of history on another layer of history.
A good time of year to visit is July 28, Peru's Independence Day., because then a Te Deum is celebrated.
Finally, el Torre Tagle Palace it is one of the oldest houses in Lima. It dates from the time of the viceroyalty and was built with noble materials from Spain and the rest of America. It dates from the 1918th century and was the home of the Marquis of Torre Tagle until it was sold to the state in XNUMX. Today it is the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The façade is the most, in Andalusian Baroque style with carved stones, Moorish wooden balconies, shutters with lattices, wrought iron bars and a huge wooden door decorated with brass knockers and nails. A beauty! You can enter partially and the entrance is free. It opens every day from 9 am to 5 pm.
Huaca Pucllana
If the history of the colony is not what interests you the most in Lima then the obligatory visit is to the Huaca Pucllana Site. It's about a archaeological site that precedes Christ and is in one of the best known districts of the capital, Miraflores.
Conclusion adobe building ruins and one shines there 25 meter high pyramid surrounded by enclosures and patios. It occupies a space of six hectares, although originally it was much larger. It was only in the 80s that there was a real interest in keeping it, so unfortunately many things have been lost. You find it on the central coast of the country, in the valley of the Rímac River and just a couple of kilometers from the wonderful cliffs of the Pacific.
The visit includes several steps: you can sign up for the tourist tour, visit the exhibition hall that reveals part of what was found in the excavations, infographics and recreations, stroll through the native fauna and flora park and the sector dedicated to traditional technology that shows you what it was like and also sells products made of wood, ceramics, metals and vegetable fibers. This place is open from Wednesday to Monday from 9 am to 5 pm and the entrance costs 12 soles.
The good news is that there is a night service from Wednesday to Sunday from 7 to 10 pm. The entrance then costs 15 soles and is well worth it.
Larco Museum
In Lima there are many museums but if you like the Pre-Columbian art then this you must visit. There are thousands of pieces that go through three thousand years of history by all the civilizations that passed through Peruvian lands.
In addition, the museum works in an old house of the viceroyalty which was built in the 9th century, a beauty in itself and a work of art. It opens from Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 30 pm. The permanent exhibition is in Spanish, English, French, Italian, Japanese and German. The entrance costs XNUMX soles.
Lima Art Museum
Another recommendable museum. It works in a very beautiful palace built in the XNUMXth century to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Peru and following the fashion of the world's museums It is abbreviated MALI.
Is the first art gallery in the country and brings together in its permanent and rotating exhibitions the best of art from this part of the world. It is located in the Parque de la Exposición and opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm, although on Saturdays it closes at 5 pm. The first Friday of each month takes place One Night at MALI until 10 pm. The entrance costs 30 soles.
Miraflores boardwalk
Since we talked before about this charming Lima neighborhood, we must include it in our list of places to visit. The city of Miraflores is there just from the center of Lima and the boardwalk is made up of a handful of parks, nine in total. A part spider the cliffs above the pacific ocean so it's a great place to sit, take photos, walk around and chat.
Surely there will be someone who thinks that I fall short. Sure! Lima is a fabulous, elegant and modern city. No one is immune to its charms. Also write down what other places you would recommend visiting.