2. HISTORICAL OUTLINE
The city of Lima, originally known as “La Ciudad de los Reyes” (The City of the Kings), was founded January 18th, 1535, on the banks of the Rimac River by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The strategic location offered ideal geographical conditions. The term “Lima” derives from “Rimac”, a word in Quechua, the official language of the Inca Empire, which signifies “Speaker”. During the period of the Viceroyalty inm the XVI and XVII centuries, it rose to prominence as the most important and powerful city in this part of the western hemisphere. On July 28th of 1821, after a prolonged period of decadence on the part of the Viceroyal government and a long series of revolts, General José de San Martín proclaimed the independence of Peru and the beginning of the republican era. The Spanish briefly reoccupied Lima in 1823, only to abandon it on the following year before the advent of Simon Bolivar and their final defeat in Ayacucho in 1824. In the early 1880’s, Lima was stormed, captured and plundered by the invading army of Chile, during the “War of the Pacific” After peace was declared, Lima soon recovered its fundamental position as one of the principal metropolis of South America.
In present times, Lima is a modern city, offering a great variety of interesting features to the foreign visitor. These, linked to its rich past, are represented within a harmonious synthesis in its many museums, traditional neighborhoods, restaurants, craft markets and galleries, and cosmopolitan nightlife.
[ Return to Top ]
3. TOURÍST ATTRACTIONS
IN-TOWN ATTRACTIONS
Plaza de Armas, as urban center of the city, it contains three of the most important buildings of the colonial era: the cathedral, the palace of the viceroys-–the present-day presidential palace--known as the house of Pizarro, and the municipality. It central showpiece is a bronze fountain dating from the XVIII century.
La Catedral -The cathedral: Situated on the main plaza, it is built directly over the same site as the original cathedral in 1555. The present reconstruction took place under the direction of the Jesuit architect father Juan Rehr, following the earthquake of 1746. Its façade and interior are austere; the seating of the choir, its altars and the tomb of Francisco Pizarro are notable features.
Iglesias y Conventos de San Francisco- The church and convent of San Francisco: One of the best preserved examples of a colonial architectural ensemble composed of the small plaza (“plazuela”), convent and church of San Francisco.
San Francisco. It features cloisters with glazed tiles, an interesting museum of Viceroyal art containing a valuable collection of works, amongst which the greatest attraction are a series of oil paintings depicting the Apostles. Underlying the entire structure are catacombs from the XVII century.
Centro Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo. The construction of this temple began with the founding of Lima and was finished by the end of the XVI century. The church possesses three naves, a very interesting seating for the choir carved in cedar wood, the same as its cupola, or interior dome. The convent is adorned with glazed tiles from Seville, Spain and the chapter room with baroque carvings. It is the site of the original establishment of the Universidad de San Marcos .
Iglesia de San Pedro: Baroque temple inaugurated in 1638 with the denomination San Pablo. In 1772, shortly after the expulsion of the Jesuits, it assumed the name of San Pedro. It possesses lateral naves with magnificently crafted golden altars and paintings of great value. It also has a small Chapel of the “Virgen de la O”.
Palacio Torre Tagle - The Tagle Tower palace: Among the architectural monuments in Lima left from the Colonial era, one of the highlights –due to its beauty and proportions- is the “Palacio Torre Tagle”, present site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Built during the early XVIII century, it represents one of the greatest monuments of Colonial Lima architecture. It presents an asymmetrical facade with a carved stone portal and two beautiful balconies in Morisco style, carved in wood, in the second floor.
Museo Nacional de Antropología y Arqueología (the National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology): It contains historic exhibits of ceramics, woven textiles and metalwork –didactically displayed- belonging to the Chavín, Mochica, Chimú, Tiahuanaco, Pucará, Paracas, Nasca and Inca cultures.
Museo de Oro (the gold museum): Personal collection of original pieces and replicas, property of Señor Miguel Mujica Gallo. Among the exhibits are numerous objects of gold, silver, and jewelry belonging to pre-Inca cultures, particularly of the Mochica, Chimú and Nasca cultures. It also contains an interesting museum of weaponry and armour, with pieces dating to the XVI century.
Museo Larco Herrera (the Larco Herrera museum): A splendid, privately-owned collection of ceramic pieces with the great majority from the Mochica culture. It possesses a treasure room in which are kept works in precious metals of outstanding value such as the only complete Chimu chief pectoral apparel known to exist.
Museo Amano (the Amano museum): A very select private collection of textiles and ceramics from all the pre-Hispanic cultures, with emphasis on the Chancay culture. Visits by appointment only.
Museo de Arte (the art museum): On the site of the old “Palacio de la Exposición” (1869), the art museum possesses a rich collection of pre-Hispanic ceramics, textiles and metalwork, plus painting, silverware and other works of art from the Colonial and Republican periods, thus resuming 3,000 years of Peruvian history.
Huaca Huallamarca. Large ceremonial center in the form of a pyramid, dating to pre-Inca times, It possesses a site museum which displays artifacts found in the site.
Huaca Pucllana o Juliana. Pre-Inca temple in the shape of a pyramid, built of small hand-made adobe bricks. There is a small site museum.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OUTSIDE OF TOWN
Reserva Nacional de Lachay: located on km.105 of the Panamerican Highway north of Lima (Panamericana Norte). From here, take a right-hand turn at 4 kilometers. The Lomas form a series of ondulations and natural depressions in the desert with a remarkable microclimate. They are a kind of oasis with abundant vegetation and wildlife, as well as some archaeological remains.
Fortaleza de Paramonga (the fortress of Paramonga): Located on km. 209 of the Panamerican Highway north of Lima (Panamericana Norte). It consists of a great adobe construction dating to pre-Inca times and belonging to the Chimu culture. It boasts a natural elevation and holds a commanding position over a large extent of surrounding terrain.
Ruinas de Puruchuco (the ruins of Puruchuco): this archaeological site lies only 10 minutes drive away from Lima. It consists of the partially reconstructed remains of the residence of members of the noble caste of the Huacho regional culture, dating from pre-Inca times. It possesses a site museum that –among others- displays an important collection of khipus (Andean knotted-string records).
Marcahuasi: lying 3 km. east of the town of San Pedro de Casta in the Sierra of Lima. This extensive and impressive array of large boulders and stones, eroded over time by the winds and rain, eventually acquired curious and whimsical shapes resembling human heads, bodies, and diverse animals. Some of the resemblance is remarkably exact. It is considered by the initiated and the researchers of extraterrestrial presence on this planet to be a prime landing site for UFO’s. It is located 4,000 meters above sea level and requires several hours of hiking to reach the site.
Pachacámac: 31 km from Lima on the southern Panamerican highway. This is a massive temple complex of pre-Inca origin with evidences of a later Inca occupation. Built mostly of adobe, with various levels, passageways and labyrinths, it has a modern site museum where unearthed archaeological pieces are exhibited. The Sun Temple and Acllahuasi (house of the chosen women) are among the outstanding constructions of the Inca period.
Lunahuaná: 180 km south of Lima on the Panamerican highway brings one to a left-hand turnoff which follows the course of the Cañete River. Tall mountains and pre-Columbian remains are in evidence, along with exuberant vegetation. The colonial church of the village of Lunahuaná is another outstanding landmark. This area is ideally suited for outdoor adventure sports and many people come here from Lima to practice rafting, fishing, kayaking, hangliding and mountain biking.
[ Return to Top ]
7. CALENDAR OF FESTIVITIES AND TOURIST EVENTS
anuary 12th to 19th: Lima jubilee week, commemorating the founding of the city on January 18th, 1535 by Francisco Pizarro. Celebrations and events include cultural and artistic activities, block parties and various outdoor spectacles and performances. Fourth Week of March: wine harvest celebrations in Surco with beauty pageants and related activities. Semana Santa (Holy Week): during this time, Lima manifests a commemoration of the passion of Jesus Christ. Numerous processions and religious acts are held in diverse parts of the city.
Third Week of May: National Peruvian Paso Horse Contest. This is held in the Pachacamac Tourist Center. Exhibits and displays of this fine Arabian breed selectly groomed and known by their peculiar canter and gait (Paso)
July 28th and 29th: Commemoration of the proclamation of the Independence of Peru by Gen. José de San Martín in 1821. Amongst the various activities are military parades and a ceremony in the cathedral with the presence of the head of State and officials. Concurrently, the home-keeping fair and the fair of La Molina are held with the concourse of national and foreign performing artists and displays of diverse products.
August 20th to August 30th: Jubilee week of Cañete, commemorating the province´s establishment. Folkloric and cultural events and adventure sports competitions and activities
August 30th: Santa Rosa de Lima: An important pilgrimage to Quives in the Province of Canta where Santa Rosa once lived. In Lima, the monastery she inhabited is visited and the devotees write a wish and pitch it into a well.
October: month of the Señor de los Milagros, (Lord of the Miracles) Patron of the city. On the 18th, 19th and 28th of October occur one of the multitudinous processions. Religious fervor reaches a high point before the sacred revered image painted in the year 1650 and remaining intact in spite of the passage of years, earthquakes and other cataclysms. Other processions of the image are held, where it is transported on a motorized vehicle to various outlying communities.
End of October through the first fortnight of November: festivity (feria) of the “Señor de los Milagros”,. Bullfighting season begins, held in the 200 year-old arena of the Plaza de Acho, built by a viceroy as a gift to his mistress. Conference of the best matadors in the world and Peru
[ Return to Top ]
