History of Lima

The city was founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, naming it Ciudad de los Reyes as the location was decided at Epiphany, the January 6. Lima, its original name, however persisted. It is uncertain where the name originated, but it is thought that it derives from the Aymara word lima-limaq, (yellow flower) or from Quechuan rimaq (talking). In the oldest Spanish maps of Peru, both Lima and Ciudad de los Reyes can be seen together as the names of the city.

Lima became the most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru, which encompassed nearly all of Spain’s possessions in South America during the colonial era (mid 1500s to early 1800s).

In 1746, many important and monumental buildings were damaged and or destroyed (later repaired) in an earthquake.The City of Kings’ cultural patrimony and incomparable, beautiful architecture remained prevalent. Its architectural and political importance in Latin America were equalled only by Mexico City.

In 1996, the Japanese embassy hostage crisis took place in Lima, an affair which received global media attention. It ended on April 22, 1997 when Peruvian Armed Forces commandos stormed the building by carrying out a frontal daytime attack after tunneling underground into the embassy to rescue the seventy-two hostages. One hostage died of medical complications, two soldiers and all fourteen kidnappers were killed in action.

Foundation

The city of Lima, capital of Peru, was founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535 with the name City of the Kings. Nevertheless, with time its original name persisted that comes from the aymara language, (lima-limaq or yellow flower) or from quechua rimaq, that is “talkative”, by its river, the Rimac. In early maps of Peru it is possible to see the two names displayed jointly.

A Tribute to Humanity

In 1988, UNESCO declared the historic center of Lima a World Heritage Site for its originality and high concentration of historic monuments constructed in the time of spansish presense.

The Balconies of Lima

On the structures of the historical center of Lima, there are situated more than 1,600 balconies of the colonial era. In order to obtain its conservation, the Municipality of Lima invited to individuals and companies to adopt a balcony in order to conserve them as if they were new. The abundance of these balconies adds to the particular harmony and originality of this part of the city.

The Colonial Extravagance

At the time of the Viceroyalty of Peru a work of art was created, a magnificence, a granditure and a legendary royal life.

The authority of the viceroy, like representative of the Spanish monarchy was particularly important, since its appointment supposed an important ascent and the successful culmination of a race in the colonial administration.

The entrances to Lima of the new viceroys were specially lavish. For the occasion, the streets were paved with silver bars from the doors of the city of Lima to the Palace of the Viceroy.

Principal Monuments

Archbishop Palace

The first major church began construction in 1535. Pope Paul III turned it into a episcopal seat in 1541. In 1547 Lima was elevated to an archdiocese, which turned it by a short period, in the more extensive ecclesiastical circumscription of the world. The patron of the episcopal seat is Santa Rosa of Lima.

House of Aliaga

This house was constructed in 1535 on a sanctuary that existed before colonial times. From this date, that agrees with that of the foundation of the city, it has been inhabited permanently by the descendants of the first proprietor. One is the oldest mansion of the city and one is in front of the Government Palace, in a lateral street. Their halls, extensive and luxurious and their inner patio, have all the characteristics of the most important mansions of the historical center of Lima of the viceroyal time. Given the perfect state of conservation, in special circumstances, this mansion usually shelters certain cultural events.

House of Oidor

In this house, one of oldest of the city, lived the Oidor, that was named by the Spanish monarchy to act in the colonial administration. The Oidor had by functions to cross the administered territory to control its government. In this sense, it advised to the viceroy as a consultant.

House of Pilatos

This is one of the oldest houses of Lima, constructed in 1590 by a Jesuit priest called Luis Opening. The name of this large house was given by the Spaniards who arrived and stated the similarity of the house with that existing one in Seville.

Goyeneche House

This is one of the most outstanding houses of the historical center, constructed in the middle of the eighteenth century with French influence. One is in its original state with its balconies a typical characteristic of colonial it Lima.

Riva Aguero House

This house was constructed in the eighteenth century by the Riva Aguero family, whose last member, the intellectual Jose of the Riva Aguero, donated it to the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. At the present time Aguero is used like headquarters of the Riva Institute, conserving an interesting historical file and a library being simultaneously used by the local Museum of Popular Art of the PUCP.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral, which has become one of the main symbols of the city, started countruction the same year the city was founded; 1535. Since then there have been numberous remodilations. The Basilica Cathedral of Lima displays a form architecture that makes it unique in all of South America, of the style of the viceroyal time. The banches of the cathedral are of the finest quality as well are the of the benches of their Choir. The Greater Altar is covered with gold bread and has images of the viceroyal time. Within the Cathedral, are the ashes of the founder of the City of the Kings, today City of Lima, Francisco Pizarro. Every year, in the month patriotism, is celebrated the mass Te Deum in gratefulness by the independence from Spain. A custom retaken by the Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, is to give the mass all Sundays at 11:00 a.m. In 2005 the current mayor of Lima, Luis Castaneda Lossio, created the project of illuminating the cathedral with new lights.

Church and Convent of Santo Domingo

It took more than five decades delay for the construction of the church and the Convent of Santo Domingo, because the project begun at the same time as the foundation of Lima and the end of the sixteenth century marked by the end of it. The church is composed by three naves with a carved choral ashlar masonry in cedar wood. The church is crowned by a large cuple. The interior displays images from the first years of the City and also an image of Our Lady the Virgin of the Rosary, which first arrived at the Rimac Valley, Patron of the city, has deep relation with the Peruvian saints and by its remarkable devotion that was coronated in the year 1927 in a unique event in the religious history of the country. On the other hand, the convent, like all, has interesting claustros and in this case, with Sevillian style patios their typical tiles. Its capitulary room is of the baroque style. It is here, in 1551, that the National University of San Marcos was founded, the first in the Americas. The temple of Our Lady of the Rosary (original name of the church of Santo Domingo) was elevated to the category of basilica in 1930, and in its interior is the Altar of the Peruvian Saints, which is visited annually by thousands of residents of Peru and by many foreigners.

Church and Convent of San Francisco

This architectonic complex was constructed in the seventeenth century and is made up by the church and the convent of San Francisco, as well as of the chapels of the Solitude and the Miracle. During your visit their claustros can be appreciated, their patios adorned with Sevillian tiles and the library. Here it is the headquearters of the Museum of Religious Art and the Zurbaran Room. Under this complex there is a network of underground galleries and catacombs that were a cemetery at the colonial time and which are also very much visited.

Merced Church

The Church of Merced was constructed in eighteenth century with a churrigueresco style; appreciating it as much external as internally, the visitor occurs an idea of the splendor of the architecture of the time. In this church, full of works of art there is an emphasis on the greater altar in honor to the Virgin of Mercedes and one sacristia with arabesque tiles. Here it is possible to see one of the decks of collections of paintings and colonial statures of the city. The Virgin of the Mercedes is the patron of the Arms of the nation.

Government Palace

The Government Palace is is the residence of the President of the Republic. Its original name is the House of Pizarro but informally it is designated to him like the Palace of Government.

Torre Tagle Palace

The Palace of Torre Tagle probably is the most significant mansion built at the beginning of the eighteenth century. Initially it belonged to Don Bernardine Jose of Tagle Portocarrero, fourth and last Marquess of Torre Tagle. The Peruvian state acquired it in 1918 and from 1919 it is the main headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru. It is made of artistic Limean architecture which describes its originality and also demonstrates the racially mixed contributions of the Viceroyalty of Peru, fitting them together harmoniously. It has a carved stone cover and two balconies, that are authentic jewels of the City of the Kings. One is in perfect state of conservation.

University Park

This park was constructed in 1870. In 1921 the park was located in where the cultural Center of the National University of San Marcos now stands. In the occasion of the centenary of the independence of the nation, the German colony arranged to construct the 30 meter Tower of the Clock. At noon, their bells touch notes of the national anthem.

Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is at the exact location where Francisco Pizarro founded Lima. In this plaza some of the most excellent facts of the history of the country have been developed. Initially, there were small stores and commerce. Also, it was the scene of in excess of bulls and served like the site of execution of the condemned until death by the Court of Santa Inquisicion. In 1651, a bronze battery was placed in the center of the seat that lasts to date. It was in the Plaza Mayor where it was proclaimed, in 1821, the Act of Independence of Peru. It is surrounded by the Palace by Government, the Municipality of Lima, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace.

San Martin Plaza

This plaza was inaugurated in 1921 in the occasion of the centenary of the Independence of Peru. In the central part, there is a monument in honor of general Jose de San Martin. It was built by the Catalan sculptor Mariano Benlluire. In this plaza of important buildings, the ex- hotel Bolivar stands, who until the new melenium, was most elegant of Lima. The plaza has become one of the many symbols of Lima.

Court of Santo Oficio

The Court of Santo Oficio was established in 1569 with the purpose of sanctioning heresies and other crimes against the catholic faith. Its abolition dates from 1820. On the external part of this monument it is possible to see an imposing neoclassic porch and, in the main hall, an outstanding carved wood ceiling, which is considered best in the city.