Although severely damaged by earthquakes (in 1940, 1966, 1970 and 1974), this "City of Kings" was, until the middle of the 18th century, the capital and most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America. Many of its buildings, such as the San Francisco Convent (the biggest in this part of the world) are the result of joint creations between local craftsmen and masters from the Old Continent.

Lima "The Very Noble, Distinguished and Very Loyal City of the Kings" as says in the Coat-of-Arms received from the Kings of Spain on December 7th, 1537; three times prized "The Garden City".

It was the headquarters of the Spain crown government´s authority, forty Spaniard viceroys governed in the Palace of Pizarro during 282 years. From their foundation up to 1821, under the dynasties of the Asturias and Borbones, it was the center of the biggest political power in all the Spanish colonies. 

Lima had its great acme during the XVII and XVIII centuries. Its material progress, the construction of big palaces and houses, its churches and convents treasured of art jewels, all this amid the luxury and wealth of its nobility that made boast of its mansions and dresses, granted Lima the fame of being the richest and prosperous city in all the colonies. 

During the Colony, the city was walled, for protection of pirate attacks, and this area is the one that today is known as "Damero de Pizarro", "Squared Lima" or "El Cercado" and it corresponds to the historical center of Lima located among the avenues Tacna, Grau, Abancay and the Rímac river. 

During the Republican Age, Lima was the first city of South America that had railroad (Lima-Callao), telegraph and gas illumination. It was during Marshal Ramón Castilla's government. 

The Historical Center of Lima conserves numerous constructions, that due to its immense beauty, in the architectural context, and for the artistic jewels of incalculable value, was declared as "Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity" by UNESCO. Independently the Church and Convent of San Francisco were declared "Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity." 

In the last years, the Mayor of Lima Mr. Alberto Andrade has carried out an extraordinary campaign for the recovery of order and cleaning of  downtown, restoration of numerous buildings, and a special campaign for restoration of the old balconies. Today the center of Lima is an area to spend great and unforgettable moments in a city tour.

The Main Square and urban center of the city of Lima. Founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, it is surrounded by the principal buildings dating from the colonial period: the Government Palace, the Cathedral and the Muncipality or city hall. At the center of this handsome architectural complex there is a magnificent ornamental bonze fountain, fused by Antonio Rivas, dating from 1650, and bearing the coats-of-arms of Lima, Spain, and of the Viceroy Conde de Salvatierra. Recently remodeled, the Square has recovered its traditional elegance, to become one of Peru's special tourist attractions.

Also called "House of Government" or the "House of Pizarro". From the foundation of Lima, it was the elected place of the conqueror Francisco Pizarro for the construction of his house and government's headquarters. After his death in 1541, it has been the headquarters of all the Peruvian governors, Viceroys and Presidents, until now. 

At the moment are conserved magnificent living rooms, like the Golden Living room that has rich pictorial collections. It is the official residence of the President of the Republic. Every day at 11:45 a.m. in the main esplanade, fronting the Main Plaza, is carried out the guard's change, (Húsares de Junín), ceremony that is recommended to attend.

The conqueror Francisco Pizarro put the first stone of the Cathedral the same day of the foundation of Lima. The church was placed under the invocation of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, and on May 11, 1540 the holy sacred heart of Jesus was placed for the first time. From then on it had different rebuilt due to earthquakes. Particularly noteworthy are its altars consecrated to Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo and the Virgen de la Evangelización. Pope John Paul II crowned the statue of the Virgen de la Evangelización, a gift sent by King Carlos V of the Spain, in a special ceremony during his visit to Peru in 1985. Other outstanding features are the choirstalls, the churrigueresque (Spanish baroque) chapel of the Immaculate, the main altar and a Christ made of carved ivory. Entering to the right is the crypt with remains of the conqueror Francisco Pizarro. The Museum of Religious Art is located in the Sacristy. To one side of the Church is located the Bishop Palace with beautiful balconies.

Most important religious monument of Lima. Consecrated in 1673, built in 1542 in Baroque style, of great aesthetic beauty. This group is conformed by the temple, a convent, the chapels of "La Soledad" and "El Milagro" and its external little plaza. Under the temple and convent there are underground galleries transformed into gloomy catacombs that served as a cemetery of Lima during the viceroyalty. The temple of three naves, an altar completely carved, beautiful sacristy, wide windows and a rich pictorial collection. The convent has cloisters, plazas, library and living rooms. The portal is adorned with authentic Sevillian tiles placed in 1620. It has a "Museo de Arte Religioso" (religious art museum) and the room Zurbarán with the collection of the Apostles. Declared "Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity" by UNESCO. Restored few years ago with support of "Banco de Crédito del Perú". 

Built on the pre-Inca altar of the curaca Tauli Chusco (main authority of the valley of Rímac at the arrival of the Spaniards in 1535) Francisco Pizarro assigned these lands to his conquest partner Jerónimo de Aliaga, and from then on the mansion is inhabited by its descendants. Besides its historical value, it possesses the beauty of its architecture. 

Both districts of Lima, contiguous, are characterized by their modern constructions, beautiful parks, small and big plazas, offering the best security and protection to their visitors. These are the most cosmopolitan areas in Lima. 

At the moment they concentrate the biggest quantity of hotels, apart-hotels and inns, preferred by the tourists that arrive to Lima. Numerous excellent restaurants, commercial centers, art galleries, cafes, casinos, theaters and cinemas, night shows, pubs, discoteques, residential areas, etc. 

The Museo Larco Herrera is the place where we can find an exclusive collection of pre-columbian erotic ceramic, the biggest and unique in the world. Placed in Lima, this private museum has a number of more than 40,000 ceramic pieces, most of them belonging to the Moche culture, which makes it the biggest ceramic museum in the world. The Moche people were very expressive and they did not hesitate to reflect this in their crafts. Also known are the descriptive huacos-retrato, a kind of portrait ceramic that shows happiness, sadness, anger and other states of the human soul.

Founded in 1926, on an old mansion built in 1707. This museum harbors the biggest private collection of pre-columbine art that exists in the world. Exhibition of archeological pieces of ceramic, gold, stone, wood and textile of pre-Hispanic cultures, especially the Peruvian northern cultures. Outstanding the "Sala de Arte Textil" (Textile Art room), the "Gran Sala de la Cultura" (Great Room of the Culture), and the "Bóveda Sala de Oro" (vault Gold Room). It also exhibits the only collection of world of "Erotic Huacos". History library.