Lima, Peru, is a massive city with over 11 million people. It is world-renowned for its cuisine, museums, and art. However, the city also contains dozens of historical monuments that any history enthusiast will enjoy. From pre-Inca temples to homes of influential South American revolutionaries, Lima is an exciting city brimming with history. Below are the top 10 historical sites of Lima, Peru’s captivating capital city.
1. Plaza de Armas
Lima’s centuries-old central plaza is the heart of its colonial past. It is home to spectacles such as the Presidential Palace’s changing of the guard, horse-drawn carriages, and some of the city’s largest cultural celebrations. However, much of the plaza’s charm lies in its history.
The Plaza de Armas, also known as Plaza Mayor, was the center of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. This political body controlled much of South America after the fall of the Inca Empire.
The square was where Francisco Pizarro established the city as a Spanish settlement in 1535. Since then, it has become the political center of Peru and has served as a place for public celebrations, executions, and military parades. At the center of the square is a 17th-century fountain. Surrounding it are colonial-style buildings with traditional 17th-century balconies, palaces, government offices, and Lima’s cathedral.
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2. Huaca Pucllana
From 200 to 700 CE, the Indigenous Lima people lived in the Lima region. In the city’s Miraflores Neighborhood is Huaca Pucllana, one of their largest monuments. For years, mounds of soil and sand covered it, and people assumed it was just an ordinary hill until excavations began in 1981.
The monument comprises a large step pyramid that towers over 80 feet high. The Lima culture and later Wari people used the pyramid for burials and religious ceremonies dedicated to the spirits of the ocean. Experts believe the pyramid was abandoned before the Inca Empire conquered the Lima region in the mid-15th century.
Today, you can climb the pyramid and observe its burial chambers and ceremonial structures. Archeologists are still uncovering several sections of the pyramid. Since excavation began, several funeral bundles, textiles, human remains, pottery pieces, and other artifacts have been found.
Tours in English and Spanish are available throughout the day. During the tour, you will see the original artifacts and get to climb the pyramid. After your climb, you can visit the site’s garden and learn about medicinal herbs, fruit, and grains that the early Peruvian societies grew.
3. Lima’s Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace is the official home of the Peruvian President and seat of the country’s executive branch. It’s one of central Lima’s most iconic buildings and is full of history. It sits directly on the southern bank of the Rímac River and faces the Plaza de Armas. Francisco Pizarro built the first palace at the site in 1535. Earthquakes and fires frequently plagued the city and destroyed many of the palace’s original buildings. The current building was mostly built between 1926 and 1938.
Inside are several halls that contain sculptures from artists such as Ramón Mateu Montesinos and Daniel Casafranca. There are also pieces from the Inca empire and their periods of Peruvian history. When you visit, you can enjoy the ceremonial changing of the guard from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM. You can schedule a private or group tour of the palace and see the palace’s interiors and courtyard.
4. Casa de Aliaga
The Casa de Aliaga is part of Lima’s UNESCO-designated central district. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city and a remarkably preserved architectural gem that has survived the city’s frequent fires and earthquakes. The house’s history goes back to the founding of Lima in 1535 when Captain Jerónimo de Aliaga y Ramírez was given a plot of land by Francisco Pizarro to build his estate. Since then, his descendants have lived in and managed the property.
Because the house has survived centuries of earthquakes, it’s a must-see example of colonial Lima’s architecture. Inside, vintage furniture, paintings, and original woodwork that survived for centuries are displayed. The house is also full of historic artifacts from the founding of Lima.
Although the house is private, it functions as a museum. When you visit, you can tour the oldest sections of the house with a registered guide.
5. Church and Monastery of San Francisco
Another must-visit landmark in Lima’s historic center is the Church and Monastery of San Francisco. The original monastery was built in the 16th century but was destroyed by a powerful earthquake. The current structure dates back to 1672 and has survived countless earthquakes ever since.
The church and monastery feature a bright yellow facade and baroque architecture. They tower above the central square and are often the location of fun events and celebrations during the holidays. The catacombs, which hold the remains of over 70,000 people, are inside. You can also experience plenty of other historical sights inside, including the 17th-century copula and over 25,000 religious texts dating back to the first years of the Spanish colonizers’ missions in Peru. Besides visiting the catacombs and library, don’t miss the church’s grand courtyard. Here, you’ll get to walk under the impressive cloisters and enjoy one of the best-preserved examples of Lima’s early colonial architecture.
6. Lima Cathedral
Lima Cathedral is located next to the Plaza de Armas and is one of the city’s most photographed monuments. Its history dates back to the 16th century. After a series of disastrous earthquakes, it was rebuilt in 1687 and 1746 and later restored in 1940. Even after rebuilding, much of the cathedral’s ornate facade remains intact.
The cathedral houses several graves, including that of Lima’s controversial founder, Francisco Pizarro. Many experts questioned the authenticity of the remains, but when they were analyzed in the 1980s, DNA evidence concluded that they belonged to Pizarro. Another highlight of the church is the wooden choir built by the Spanish sculptor and architect Pedro de Noguera. Surrounding it are more ornate sculptures and intricate wooden carvings.
Next to the cathedral is the beautiful Archbishop’s Palace. In 1924, the Polish Peruvian architect Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski designed the palace in the neo-colonial style. Today, it is the residence of the Archbishop of Lima.
7. Barranco Neighborhood
For decades, Barranco has been the heart of Lima’s artist community. It also contains several significant historical buildings and monuments. During Lima’s Republic, it was one of the wealthiest districts of the city, home to the city’s most popular beaches and nightlife. In 1881, it was largely destroyed by Chilean forces during the War of the Pacific, a war fought between Chile, Peru, and Bolivia.
After the war, the neighborhood developed into a flourishing arts district. Many of Peru’s writers, artists, and poets moved to the neighborhood and created a unique district full of galleries and murals. Today, you can visit historical sites such as the historic 19th-century Puente de los Suspiros bridge and the 19th-century Iglesia La Ermita. In the central square, you’ll see the historic Biblioteca Municipal library and a preserved train car from the original Lima tramway line that once crossed the city. Another highlight is the Museo Pedro de Osma, a museum dedicated to Lima’s colonial art and architecture.
8. Jirón de la Unión
Radiating out from the Plaza de Armas is the avenue Jirón de la Unión. Along its streets are some of central Lima’s most historical landmarks. When you walk down the avenue, you’ll see original Lima balconies and original colonial architecture.
One of the oldest buildings along the avenue is the Church of La Merced. This ornate church was first built in 1541 and, after several devastating earthquakes, was rebuilt in the 18th century. The church is most famous for its intricate granite facade.
Along the avenue are other historical buildings, including Casa O’Higgins, Casa Courret, and the nearby Naval Museum Casa Grau. One of the street’s most famous sites is the Casa Belen. This beautiful colonial building was built in 1606.
9. Park of the Legends Zoo
Lima’s sprawling Park of the Legends Zoo and Botanical Gardens feature three large pre-Inca sites. Inside the zoo is Huaca La Palma, Huaca 49, Huaca Tres Palos, and Huaca San Miguel. The entire complex is made up of the Maranga Archaeological Complex, which experts believe was a large urban center with temples and settlements.
The largest of these ruins are the ruins of Huaca Tres Palos. Although less visited than Huaca Pucllana, it features an incredibly preserved stone step pyramid that towers over the park. There are several wells and areas that archeologists believe to be instruments for astronomical observations and measuring the seasons.
The oldest sections of the complex were built by the Lima people between 200 BCE and 0 CE. After the newer structures were built, they were occupied by the Ichsma People who ruled over them until the Inca conquered the region in the 15th century.
10. Pachacamac Archaeological Complex
Just 25 miles south of Lima is the Pachacamac Archaeological Complex. This large Pre-Inca citadel and urban center is home to several pyramids and stone and adobe structures. It was a major ceremonial center for the early Lima People, who started construction of the complex around 200 BCE.
The entire site is 450 hectares in size. Over 50 structures were built using intricate edged stonework. The most prominent structures were once temples that attracted pilgrims from various Pre-Inca cultures, including the Lima and the Wari. Visiting the complex is one of the most breathtaking experiences for any history enthusiast visiting Lima. Soon, the MUNA, or National Museum of Peru, will open to the public near the archeological site.
