8 churches in Lima that you must visit
Lima is the capital of Peru. After its foundation in 1535, the ‘City of Kings’ saw the gradual growth of important colonial buildings that endure over time. Among them, its imposing churches of baroque and neoclassical style stand out. Find out which are the eight most famous churches in Lima, where they are located, how much the visit costs and more information.
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The Cathedral of Lima
The Cathedral is the most important Christian temple in the city of Lima. It is located right in front of the Main Square, and a few steps from the Government Palace. It has a façade of great architectural beauty (Renaissance style). At night it is illuminated by a set of lights. In the internal part of the church there are thirteen chapels with stalls, altarpieces, decoration in gold, silver and more. The remains of Francisco Pizarro, founder of the city of Lima, rest in the Cathedral.
- Location: Jirón Carabaya s/n (in front of the Main Square in Lima).
- Entrance price: Adults 10 soles / children 2 soles.
Church and convent of San Francisco (the catacombs)
The church and convent of San Francisco de Lima is famous for its catacombs. It is that there, during the colonial era, about 25 thousand people were buried. Their skulls and bone remains can still be seen in their underground galleries. The temple also has a baroque structure of great beauty. Its interior has artistic works such as the canvases that represent the life of San Francisco de Asís. The church is located a few steps from the Main Square in Lima.
- Location: Crossroads of Jirón Ancash and Jirón Lampa, Lima (3 blocks from the Main Square).
- Entrance price: Adults 15 soles / university students 8 soles / children 3 soles.
Church of Las Nazarenas (Señor de los Milagros)
The Sanctuary and Monastery of Las Nazarenas is famous for housing the image of the Señor de los Milagros, sworn patron saint of the city of Lima whose canvas has more three centuries old. Every day devotees of this image arrive there. However, the most visitors arrive there in October, when the ‘Cristo Moreno’ is carried in a procession through the city. The church also has a beautiful decoration with elements in gold leaf and side altars.
- Location: 515 Jiron Huancavelica, Lima.
- Entrance price: Free.
Sanctuary of Santa Rosa de Lima
This church and sanctuary was built in honor of Santa Rosa de Lima, recognized as Patron Saint of America, the Philippines and the East Indies. The construction of the temple was carried out in 1728 by the Dominican order, almost a century and a half after the birth of the saint (and almost 50 years after her canonization in 1672). Isabel Flores de Oliva was born and lived there. In the 20th century up to a third of its structure was destroyed and remodeled due to the growth of the city. The new temple has a main altarpiece, a beautiful portico, works of art and more.
- Location: Tacna Avenue 100.
- Entrance price: Free.
Church and convent of Santo Domingo
The church, convent and museum of the Dominican order in Lima stands out for its architectural beauty, its historical value and the artistic paintings that date back hundreds of years. It is one of the oldest Christian temples in the city (built in the 16th century) as the place for its construction was chosen by Francisco Pizarro himself. The temple is famous for housing the remains of San Juan Macías, San Martín de Porres and Santa Rosa de Lima. Its temple has a Rococo and Mudejar style.
- Location: Jirón Camaná 170, Cercado de Lima.
- Entrance price: General adults 7 soles / students 3.50 soles / schoolchildren 1 sol.
The Convent of the Discalced
The church and convent of the barefoot in Lima belongs to the Franciscan order. It is also known as the Convent of Our Lady of the Angels. It is located in the populous district of Rímac, at the foot of the famous San Cristóbal de Lima hill. It is located in the last block of the Alameda de los Descalzos (whose layout dates from 1611). Its foundation was in 1595. It has a simple architecture, which looks like a rural hacienda. However, inside there is a museum that exhibits relics, canvases and a library. All these objects date from the 16th, 17th, 18th, 14th and 20th centuries.
- Location: Alameda de los descalzos s/n, Rímac – Lima.
- Entrance price: Adults 7 soles / over 65s 3 soles / children 2 soles.
Church and Convent of San Pedro
The church and convent of San Pedro is one of the most important religious sites in the city of Lima. It was built in 1568 so it is also one of the oldest in the ‘City of Kings’. It belongs to the order of the Society of Jesus. The Jesuits based their construction on the temple of Gesu located in Rome. Its architecture has a baroque and neoclassical style of great beauty. The interior has arches, chapels, altarpieces, paintings, tiles and other relics of great historical value.
- Location: Jirón Azángaro 451, Cercado de Lima.
- Entrance price: Free.
La Merced Church
The Basilica and Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced is one of the most beautiful colonial religious buildings in the city. Its construction dates back to 1535 (the year the city was founded) by Fray Miguel de Orenses, a member of the Mercedarian order. The temple has a Baroque Churrigueresque Lima style facade (with the image of the Virgen de las Mercedes in the upper central part. In 1746 the church was restored due to the earthquake that hit the city. Inside, its beautiful altarpieces, sculptures, canvases and other jewels from the colonial era.
- Location: Jirón de la Unión 621, Cercado de Lima.
- Entrance price: Free.
By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023