For many people, the capital city of Peru is only a place to enter the country and move onto another city, most likely Cusco. But Lima is a vibrant city with world-class cuisine, shopping and sights. Spend a few days in this city and you can visit a number of art galleries and museums that feature the history and culture of this diverse nation. If you’re short on time you do not want to miss these ones:
Ecuador is not the only country with impressive monasteries, Lima is home to Convento y Museo de San Francisco.
While it is the best example of colonial architecture with its baroque detailing in the ceramic tiles and ceiling carvings, most people visit for the catacombs beneath the church. Here you can see remains of nearly eighty thousand of members of the church and its priests. It is not for the faint of heart as you will walk by rows of organized skulls and bones but a fascinating tour and must be done with a guide.
This church survived a major earthquake in 1746 and has been restored to excellent condition. The church is in a central location in Centro Historico at the Plaza San Francisco and easy to access by public transit or taxi.
Much like the national museums in Quito and Bogota, the national museum features a chronological tour of the history of the nation and includes much information on pre-Inca civilizations up to the Spanish colonization.
For history lovers this is a must-see before you go elsewhere in the country as it will help you understand the culture, with models to scale representing the various ruins and archaeological sites to be seen throughout the country. This is the city’s largest museum and requires half a day to do it properly.
The museum is located at Av. Javier Prado Este 2465, San Borja
The world’s largest private collection of pre-Colombian art and named after its founder archaelogist Rafael Larco Hoyle, who wanted to share the art of pre-Colombian civilizations.
With over 45,000 pieces it tells the story of Peruvian culture, mostly focusing on the Moche civilization (A.D. 200-700). For those who think ceramics are boring, there are objects used for sacrifice and the popular erotic gallery which features explicit renderings of their sexual habits.
The building itself is incredible as it is an 18th century mansion constructed over a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 7th century. Its massive garden alone is impressive and has won many awards.
Often referred to as the Larco Museum, it can be found at Av. Bolivar 1515, Pueblo Libre
1. Convento y Museo de San Francisco
Ecuador is not the only country with impressive monasteries, Lima is home to Convento y Museo de San Francisco.
While it is the best example of colonial architecture with its baroque detailing in the ceramic tiles and ceiling carvings, most people visit for the catacombs beneath the church. Here you can see remains of nearly eighty thousand of members of the church and its priests. It is not for the faint of heart as you will walk by rows of organized skulls and bones but a fascinating tour and must be done with a guide.
This church survived a major earthquake in 1746 and has been restored to excellent condition. The church is in a central location in Centro Historico at the Plaza San Francisco and easy to access by public transit or taxi.
2. Museo de la Nacion (National Museum)
Much like the national museums in Quito and Bogota, the national museum features a chronological tour of the history of the nation and includes much information on pre-Inca civilizations up to the Spanish colonization.
For history lovers this is a must-see before you go elsewhere in the country as it will help you understand the culture, with models to scale representing the various ruins and archaeological sites to be seen throughout the country. This is the city’s largest museum and requires half a day to do it properly.
The museum is located at Av. Javier Prado Este 2465, San Borja
3. Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera
The world’s largest private collection of pre-Colombian art and named after its founder archaelogist Rafael Larco Hoyle, who wanted to share the art of pre-Colombian civilizations.
With over 45,000 pieces it tells the story of Peruvian culture, mostly focusing on the Moche civilization (A.D. 200-700). For those who think ceramics are boring, there are objects used for sacrifice and the popular erotic gallery which features explicit renderings of their sexual habits.
The building itself is incredible as it is an 18th century mansion constructed over a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 7th century. Its massive garden alone is impressive and has won many awards.
Often referred to as the Larco Museum, it can be found at Av. Bolivar 1515, Pueblo Libre
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