The most beautiful religious buildings Lima

This church is the most beautiful of Lima and its square, invaded by pigeons, gives it a false air of Venice. Its carved stone façade is worth the trip. On the right as you enter, a fantastic altarpiece overshadows the central altar with its gold. The chairs in the choir are carved from Nicaraguan cedar; the columns and vault are decorated with plaster reliefs. The library houses some 25,000 volumes. The catacombs, discovered in 1951, house the bones of nearly 70,000 deceased.

With its adjoining chapel, it dominates the Plaza de Armas with its two bell towers. Built in 1625, it appears as it was rebuilt after the 1940 earthquake (this was, and still is, very controversial): a mixture - a little heavy - of Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic elements. Its three main naves are planted with elegant columns and gothic ribs elegantly dress its domes. Along the two side naves, a Stations of the Cross is depicted on huge paintings and the 12 apostles on the 12 columns. There are no less than 13 chapels, each with altars chiselled in gold, some of which allow us to get to know illustrious local "figures" whom we will meet again on our way, such as the Virgen de la Candelaria, Santa Rosa de Lima or San Martin de Porres. The highlights are the choir seats and benches, by the Catalan artist Pedro Noguera, finely carved in wood and of impeccable precision. The sacristy houses a religious museum. The other controversial subject is the alleged presence or absence of the remains of Francisco Pizarro, who is said to rest in the chapel to the right of the nave. This is still the most richly decorated crypt.

For those who do not wish to pay the entrance fee, the cathedral is open for services on Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 11am; in this case, discretion is advised. Nevertheless, we recommend at least a visit to the impressive cathedral and, if you have time, the associated museum.

Built in 1534, that is to say before the foundation of the city. There are many baroque altarpieces, of course, gilded with gold leaf, and an altar from which emerges the tabernacle in embossed silver. Its façade is also very elaborate in the Churrigueresque Limenian baroque style and its door made of pinkish-grey granite imported from Panama at the time is quite unique. Without a doubt, it stands out in the most commercial pedestrian street of the historic centre.