Lima Historic Center Walking Tour & San Francisco Catacombs

Explore Lima’s Historic Center through its most important squares, streets, and landmarks, while discovering the stories, legends, and key events that shaped the city from colonial times to the republican era. This small-group experience also includes a visit to the famous San Francisco Catacombs, making it a memorable and enriching way to understand Lima’s history.

Itinerary

1. After picking you up, we will have a quick 20 minutes ride towards the first stop "The Plaza San Martín" which is surrounded by magnificent structures such as the Gran Hotel Bolívar, The Colón Theater, unique Art Nouveau Style Buildings, and so on. This beautiful square was built in 1921 to honour the first centenary of Peruvian independence, for many art historians is one the largest and most beautiful squares in Lima. Besides, for many locals, this plaza is important because is dedicated to General Jose de San Martin, a key leader for the struggle of independence in Southern America. (15 min)
2. We will travel through time by walking along the renowned Jiron de la Union a famous pedestrianized street, considered since the colonial times as the most important street in Lima where aristocrats and famous people congregated. In addition, along the way we will observe magnificent constructions of different centuries as well as impresive colonial churches. Your tour guide will love to tell you misterios and enterteining curiousties that each building, hides and is witing to be discover. (25 min)
3. We will visit our impressive Main Square, which is surrounded by important buildings such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the City Hall, the Union Club, etc. We will have a smooth sightseeing explanations of all this important buildings. Ofcourse, we will not miss the oportunity to know the story about the ocupancy of this place by native peruvians before the arrival of the spaniers. (15 min)
4. For many arquitects and art historians "CHURCH LA MERCED" has one of the best example of baroque style facade in the whole historical center, so it is impossible not to admire its beauty and take stunning photos. The original church was a small wooden construction and built already before the foundation of Lima. However, the church we see nowadeys has gone through different restaurations but is still beautifull. Only If it is opened we may have the chance to visit inside the curch, you will love it. (10 min)
5. We will visit one of the most impressive and visited churches called "Saint Francis of Lima Church", in this museum we can find the oldest library in latin amaerica with more than 25,000 original books; the elvated choir room, which is surrounded by an incredible hand carved chairs, the incomparable main cloister and charry of the cake is the impressive and misterious Catacombs located under ground the church, this misterious place was a public cemetery of the colonial times for catholic people. Along the las centuries, many stories have been told about this place, I am sure you will love to hear it. (50 min) Admission included

Meeting & end point