Description of the attraction
The Cathedral is located in the historic center of Lima in the Plaza Mayor. The construction of the cathedral began in 1535 and lasted three years. While the early churches were quite simple due to the constant destruction caused by numerous earthquakes, the Cathedral building of Lima was huge, reflecting the importance of the Church during colonial times. With each earthquake, the temple building was renovated over and over again, resulting in changes that reflect different eras of art from Baroque to Neoclassicism.
Today, Lima Cathedral consists of a central nave, two side naves, one of which faces Via de Giudios and the other towards the Patio de los Naranjos, and 13 chapels. In the chapel on the left you can see a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary la Esperanza. During the recent renovation, ancient paintings were found in this chapel, which can now be seen by every parishioner. The Sagrada Familia chapel houses the figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The remains of Francisco Pizarro, the founder of Lima, who supervised the construction of the first building of the cathedral of Lima, lie here.
The facade of the cathedral is impressive with the beauty of exquisite details, statues and ornaments carved from stone. The interior of the temple is mesmerizing with the fusion of late Gothic, Baroque and neoclassical elements. The vaulted ceiling and the checkerboard parquet floor are beautiful in contrast. The rich main altar with gilding and carved wooden images representing saints and apostles is striking. On the walls of the side naves is the Way of the Cross in the form of large paintings.
In keeping with most cathedrals, the facade of the building has three large doorways. Nearby, there are two tall towers with a neoclassical spire.
The old sacristy and adjoining rooms house the Museum of Religious Art of the Cathedral of Lima. It houses a large and valuable collection of religious paintings, sculptures, furniture, jewelry, sacred vessels and liturgical objects, religious vestments and mantles of former archbishops.
Pope John Paul II visited this cathedral twice - in 1985 and 1988.
