Cathedral of Lima, Lima (must see)
The Cathedral of Lima is one of the oldest and most historic structures in the city. The Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro is said to have laid the first stone himself, even carrying the first log used in its construction. The cathedral was officially consecrated in 1625, though its origins date back to 1535, making it nearly as old as Lima itself.
The cathedral is particularly noted for its opulent interior, featuring a delicately vaulted ceiling, a checkerboard floor, and exquisite Baroque furnishings. Among its most remarkable features are the beautifully carved choir stalls and the mosaic chapel that houses Pizarro鈥檚 tomb. The fa莽ade, designed in Renaissance style and later completed with neoclassical touches, mirrors the grandeur of Lima鈥檚 colonial era.
Inside the cathedral, a small museum displays religious artifacts and artworks that are well worth seeing. The marble flooring, 17th-century golden altars, and impressive paintings enhance the building鈥檚 grandeur, while its chapels, and upper galleries make exploration both fascinating and rewarding. Among the artworks are paintings by the Cusco School, a renowned colonial art movement blending European and Andean traditions. The museum also preserves antique liturgical vestments, silver chalices, and historic documents reflecting Lima鈥檚 ecclesiastical heritage.
The cathedral contains 15 smaller chapels, each dedicated to a different saint. A true monument of immense historical and cultural value, it offers visitors an extraordinary glimpse into Lima鈥檚 colonial and religious past. Together with the surrounding buildings on the Main Square, the Cathedral of Lima forms the centerpiece of the city鈥檚 UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre. The building also serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Lima, maintaining its role as the spiritual heart of the Peruvian capital. Its bells continue to mark major religious events and national ceremonies.
Tip:
Consider buying a combo ticket to visit both the Cathedral of Lima and the neighboring Archbishop鈥檚 Palace. Each showcases stunning colonial architecture and art, and guided tours offer valuable insight into their history. While tipping your guide isn鈥檛 mandatory, a small gratuity is appreciated for a well-conducted tour.
The cathedral is particularly noted for its opulent interior, featuring a delicately vaulted ceiling, a checkerboard floor, and exquisite Baroque furnishings. Among its most remarkable features are the beautifully carved choir stalls and the mosaic chapel that houses Pizarro鈥檚 tomb. The fa莽ade, designed in Renaissance style and later completed with neoclassical touches, mirrors the grandeur of Lima鈥檚 colonial era.
Inside the cathedral, a small museum displays religious artifacts and artworks that are well worth seeing. The marble flooring, 17th-century golden altars, and impressive paintings enhance the building鈥檚 grandeur, while its chapels, and upper galleries make exploration both fascinating and rewarding. Among the artworks are paintings by the Cusco School, a renowned colonial art movement blending European and Andean traditions. The museum also preserves antique liturgical vestments, silver chalices, and historic documents reflecting Lima鈥檚 ecclesiastical heritage.
The cathedral contains 15 smaller chapels, each dedicated to a different saint. A true monument of immense historical and cultural value, it offers visitors an extraordinary glimpse into Lima鈥檚 colonial and religious past. Together with the surrounding buildings on the Main Square, the Cathedral of Lima forms the centerpiece of the city鈥檚 UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre. The building also serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Lima, maintaining its role as the spiritual heart of the Peruvian capital. Its bells continue to mark major religious events and national ceremonies.
Tip:
Consider buying a combo ticket to visit both the Cathedral of Lima and the neighboring Archbishop鈥檚 Palace. Each showcases stunning colonial architecture and art, and guided tours offer valuable insight into their history. While tipping your guide isn鈥檛 mandatory, a small gratuity is appreciated for a well-conducted tour.
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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Cathedral of Lima on Map
Sight Name: Cathedral of Lima
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
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
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
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...