Town Halls and Public Buildings to visit Lima

It is also called the "House of Pizarro". This is the seat of the Peruvian government, the residence of the President of the Republic of Peru and the seat of the executive power. It is located in the Plaza Mayor (or Plaza de Armas). It was here that Pizarro founded Lima on January 18, 1535, and the fig tree that once stood in his garden still remains. The viceroys followed one another and transformed a rather humble residence into a small palace inspired by the Palace of Versailles. José de San Martin, the liberator, stayed there for a short time but preferred Pueblo Libre. The palace had its moment of glory under the government of Marshal Ramon Castilla before being occupied during the war with Chile. The palace as we see it today dates back to 1937 and was embellished in 2005 like many historical monuments in the center. Inside, the Dorado Room is the most sumptuous, gilded with gold leaf and furnished in the French style. This is where the Order of the Great Sun (Orden de Gran Sol) decorations are awarded, for example. You can't get in, but stand in front of the gates at 12 noon. This is the time of the changing of the guard - where the dragoon guards, escorting the President of the Republic, salute the flag. Here again, their dress is inspired by the French Republican Guard. On Sundays, the horse guards also participate in the ceremony. On certain more symbolic dates, this parade is an obviously superbly regulated military show.