Lima Centro Histórico, die Kathedrale & Koloniales Erbe
Lima's Centro Histórico (the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre — one of the finest colonial urban ensembles in the Americas, the former capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru) with the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima (which contains the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima), the Palacio de Gobierno, and the baroque churches and colonial palaces of the 16th-18th centuries is the most historically significant colonial district in South America.
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Cathedral of Lima — Pizarro's Remains and 400 Years of Construction
Lima's Cathedral (Plaza Mayor, begun 1535, rebuilt after earthquakes 1687 and 1746, completed to current form 1797) contains the mausoleum of Francisco Pizarro — the Spanish conquistador's remains (authenticated by DNA analysis in 1984) are displayed in a glass case beside the main altar; the museum (entry S/10) houses religious paintings and vestments; the 40m towers are the visual anchor of the Plaza Mayor.
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Plaza Mayor de Lima — The Centre of Peru Since 1535
Lima's Plaza Mayor (also called Plaza de Armas) is surrounded by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace — the fountain (1650, Lima's oldest public sculpture) is the oldest fountain in the Americas still in its original location; the changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace (12pm daily) is performed in full military ceremonial dress.
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Monasterio de San Francisco — 25,000 Bones in the Catacombs
The Monasterio de San Francisco (corner of Ancash and Lampa, 1774, UNESCO) served as Lima's main cemetery until 1808 — the catacombs beneath the church hold the remains of 25,000 people arranged in geometric patterns by the Franciscan monks; the library (above ground) contains 25,000 volumes including a 1605 first edition of Don Quixote; the guided tour (45 minutes, S/20) is mandatory for the catacombs.
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Barrio Chino — Lima's Chinese Quarter and Chifas
Lima's Barrio Chino (Chinatown, Capón Street, Centro Histórico) is the oldest and largest Chinese community in South America — 120,000 ethnic Chinese Peruvians (Tusán community, descendants of 19th-century indentured labourers) have created the chifa (Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine) that is now eaten by all Peruvians daily; the best chifas (Wa Lok, Salon Capon) serve lomo saltado with wonton soup for S/35–55.
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Palacio de Gobierno — Presidential Palace Changing of the Guard
The Presidential Palace (north side of the Plaza Mayor, 1938, neocolonial facade replacing the original 1535 Pizarro residence) has a changing of the guard ceremony (noon, daily) performed by the Guardia Republicana — the 30-minute ceremony includes infantry, cavalry (horses from the national stud farm in Pachacamac), and a military band; the main salon can be visited on guided tours (Tuesday–Thursday, advance application required).
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Parque de la Muralla — Inca and Colonial Walls Excavated
Parque de la Muralla (behind the Monasterio de San Francisco) is a 2-hectare riverside park built over archaeological excavations of Lima's colonial walls — the original city walls (1684, designed to protect against piracy) and sections of an Inca-period wall beneath are displayed in situ; the Rímac River (where the Inca city of Ichimac was located before Pizarro's conquest) is visible from the park's eastern boundary.