The Cathedral of Lima stands on the east side of the Plaza Mayor, on the site that Francisco Pizarro chose for the main church of the new city in 1535. The present building is the result of several reconstructions after the strong earthquakes that hit Lima, especially those of 1687 and 1746.
What you will see
- The façade: with its two towers and Renaissance and Baroque details carved in stone.
- The choir stalls: a masterpiece of colonial woodcarving, decorated with figures of saints and apostles.
- The side chapels: fifteen chapels with gilded altarpieces, paintings and sculptures from the colonial period.
- The tomb of Francisco Pizarro: the founder of Lima rests in a chapel decorated with mosaics, near the entrance.
- The crypts and the Museum of Religious Art: with paintings, silverwork and vestments from the colonial era.
Visit the Cathedral
The visit takes about 45 minutes. Remember that it is a place of worship: dress respectfully and keep silence during mass. The Cathedral is included in our Lima City Tour and our Lima Private City Tour.