Lima is a big, noisy disorganized city nevertheless, Lima is the social and economic heart of Peru, and any visitor who just passes through the city on the way to Cusco is missing an essential part of the country.
It has some excellent museums, which give a perfect introduction to much of the history of the rest of the country. And the historic centre of Lima, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, is a fascinating glimpse into the splendid past of what once was the most wonderful city in all the Americas, the City of Kings. Although somewhat decrepit, the centre has been much improved in recent years, and should definitely be visited.
You will be collected from your Hotel for a Full Day City tour of Ancient and Modern Lima accompanied by an English speaking guide. Initially we will visit the beautiful Colonial Lima Cathedral. Building was commenced in 1635 by Francisco Pizarro himself. He is said to have laid the first stone used in its construction and carried the first timbers used also. He personally inaugurated the Cathedral in 1640 althought it has been extensively extended and improved since this date
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Lima Cathedral
Tomb of Pizarro - Lima Cathedral
Francisco Pizarro (c. 1475–June 26, 1541) was a Spanish conquistador, conqueror of the Inca Empire and founder of Lima La Ciudad de los Reyes, capital of Peru. His is a truly extraordinary story as he ultimately led only 106 foot soldiers and 62 Horsemen to capture The Inca who was supported by a reported 80,000 troops. This feat directly led to the downfall of the Inca Empire and the start of Spanish rule. His Tomb is to be found in the Cathedral to this day.
Though Pizarro is well known in Peru for being the leader behind the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, a growing number of Peruvians regard him as a kind of criminal. He is vilified for having ordered Atahualpa's (The Inca's) death despite his having paid a ransom of filling a room with gold and two with silver which was later split among all of Pizarro's closest associates, together with the many crimes subsequently perpetrated upon the Peruvian people by the Conquistadors.
After the Cathedral we will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco.
Church and Convent of San Francisco - Lima
The Church and Convent of San Francisco was constructed in the seventeenth century and is made up by the church and the convent of San Francisco, as well as of the chapels of the Solitude and the Miracle. The building is noted for its 17th century architecture, a high example of Spanish Neoclassicism. Catacombs are built under the monastery, and are said to connect to other catacombs beneath the cathedral and other area churches. The convent's library is world-renowned. It is also the headquarters of the Museum of Religious Art.
For Lunch we will go to one of the finest restaurants in the whole of Peru the Rosa Nautica built on a wonderful historic Pier with views over the Pacific Ocean
In the afternoon we will visit the Lima museum of you choice either of the:
Lima has some very fine Museums in particular th Gold Museum which has over 25,000 exhibits. This private collection contains a staggering display of pre-Hispanic gold, Paracas textiles, and ceramics; some replicas be found within exhibits. There's also an excellent bookshop, and large display of military objects connected with important people from world history.
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