Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, Lima (must see)
The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco is a grand piece of architecture and a place of immense religious importance in Lima, much popular with foreigners and locals alike. Tourists usually get awestruck when they see the dome, the fascinating vault which has a half-spherical shape intricately carved in cedar. Complete with a church, the convent makes up the Lima Historic Center and was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1991. Within the complex are also the catacombs and the library.
Book lovers are in for an amazing experience at the huge library that contains nearly 25,000 tomes, including incunabulums and ancient manuscripts dating back to the 15th century. A descent into the catacombs will surely motivate the daring ones, enabling them to feel like the heroes of adventure movies. Each year, during the Saint Jude festival, a procession of forty people carry a special silver stand that weights one and a half tonnes. Combined with the library, the church and the catacombs, this place is bound to give you a truly fabulous experience.
Tip:
The church inside the complex is free to tour around, but it is worth paying a little extra to go on the catacombs tour. There is an English and Spanish tour offered. You walk through the catacombs plus take a guided tour of the convent. Very interesting!
Book lovers are in for an amazing experience at the huge library that contains nearly 25,000 tomes, including incunabulums and ancient manuscripts dating back to the 15th century. A descent into the catacombs will surely motivate the daring ones, enabling them to feel like the heroes of adventure movies. Each year, during the Saint Jude festival, a procession of forty people carry a special silver stand that weights one and a half tonnes. Combined with the library, the church and the catacombs, this place is bound to give you a truly fabulous experience.
Tip:
The church inside the complex is free to tour around, but it is worth paying a little extra to go on the catacombs tour. There is an English and Spanish tour offered. You walk through the catacombs plus take a guided tour of the convent. Very interesting!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Lima. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51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
Lima, the capital of Peru, is a huge, thriving metropolis and one of South America鈥檚 largest cities; it was established by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. The carefully preserved city center has retained much of its original colonial character set in the stones of Plaza de Armas 鈥� the city's main square, as well as numerous Baroque and Renaissance cathedrals, colonial... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 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...