Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, Lima (must see)
The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco is a magnificent piece of architecture and a site of great religious importance in Lima, popular with both locals and visitors alike. Tourists are often awestruck by its dome and the fascinating half-spherical vault intricately carved in cedar. Together with its adjoining church, the convent forms part of the Historic Centre of Lima, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. The complex also includes the famous catacombs and an impressive library.
Book lovers will find a treasure trove in the vast library, which houses nearly 25,000 volumes, including incunabula and manuscripts dating back to the 15th century. Those seeking adventure can descend into the eerie catacombs, an experience that feels straight out of an old-world exploration film. Each year, during the Saint Jude festival, a solemn procession of forty people carries a special silver stand through the convent鈥檚 grounds. Combined with its library, church, and catacombs, this site offers a truly unforgettable glimpse into Lima鈥檚 colonial and spiritual heritage.
Tip:
It鈥檚 worth paying a little extra for the catacombs tour, which includes a guided visit through the convent. Tours are available in both English and Spanish, and the stories shared along the way make the experience especially rewarding.
Book lovers will find a treasure trove in the vast library, which houses nearly 25,000 volumes, including incunabula and manuscripts dating back to the 15th century. Those seeking adventure can descend into the eerie catacombs, an experience that feels straight out of an old-world exploration film. Each year, during the Saint Jude festival, a solemn procession of forty people carries a special silver stand through the convent鈥檚 grounds. Combined with its library, church, and catacombs, this site offers a truly unforgettable glimpse into Lima鈥檚 colonial and spiritual heritage.
Tip:
It鈥檚 worth paying a little extra for the catacombs tour, which includes a guided visit through the convent. Tours are available in both English and Spanish, and the stories shared along the way make the experience especially rewarding.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Lima. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Basilica and Convent of San Francisco on Map
Sight Name: Basilica and Convent of San Francisco
Sight Location: Lima, Peru (See walking tours in Lima)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Lima, Peru (See walking tours in Lima)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Lima, Peru
Create Your Own Walk in Lima
Creating your own self-guided walk in Lima is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Lima Introduction Walking Tour
Alexander Humboldt, a German explorer and proponent of Romantic philosophy, once said Lima felt like two worlds colliding in the same street鈥攁nd two centuries later, that still holds true.
Lima, the capital of Peru, was founded on January 18, 1535, by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who named it the 鈥淐ity of Kings鈥� in honor of the Epiphany and the Spanish crown. Yet the name... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Lima, the capital of Peru, was founded on January 18, 1535, by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who named it the 鈥淐ity of Kings鈥� in honor of the Epiphany and the Spanish crown. Yet the name... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Miraflores Walking Tour
The district of Miraflores is one of Lima's key tourist destinations, renowned for its affluent setting, upscale shopping, phenomenal oceanic views, seashore restaurants, parks, and interesting archaeological sites. The attractions here are numerous and include, among others, the following:
La Huaca Pucllana 鈥� an archaeological complex, featuring a clay pyramid made of seven staggered... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
La Huaca Pucllana 鈥� an archaeological complex, featuring a clay pyramid made of seven staggered... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Food and Shopping Walk
Today's Lima is a large, commerce-booming and tourist-friendly capital, equally rich in terms of ancient culture as well as intricate cuisine and wealth of shopping opportunities suitable for various budgets.
Although in recent years many international brands have found their way to Lima鈥檚 stores, the majority of tourists keep looking to street fairs and artisan 鈥淚ndian鈥� markets... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Although in recent years many international brands have found their way to Lima鈥檚 stores, the majority of tourists keep looking to street fairs and artisan 鈥淚ndian鈥� markets... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
20 Must-Buy Trip Mementos from Lima
Today's Peru is a basket of natural, cultural and historical riches manifested in the multitude of handicrafts that have flourished in the country for thousands of years and embraced Inca, Spanish and other influences. Local jewelry, wool, pottery, leather, music, food and drinks - all have a...
Gastronomic Tour of Lima
Peruvian cuisine reflects a rich cultural and geographical diversity. During half a millennium of fusion, flavors from Europe, Africa, and Asia have mingled with Incan fare. Per煤鈥檚 approximately 90 microclimates produce a startling repertoire of ingredients, many unique to Peruvian soil. A...