Overview:

El Carmen Monastery in Lima is located in the San isidro district, and it is part of the religious tourism circuit in the city. This monastery is more than 250 years old and is composed of a church, a convent and a historical museum, all of which are surrounded by ancient walls. The building owes its name to Our Lady of Carmen, a devotion that was brought to Peru from Spain. Inside the monastery, visitors will find many examples of colonial art, sculptures, paintings and objects from the period of the Spanish conquest, giving visitors a glimpse into the rich history of Lima. Visitors can also take guided tours, enjoy the exhibitions and learn more about the religious and colonial history of Peru. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Peru
Prominent Features:

El Carmen Monastery is a 17th century Roman Catholic monastery located in the center of Lima, Peru. It was founded in 1644 by Archbishop Jeronimo de Loayza y Andrade as part of his mission to reform the local Church. The monastery is still active today as it serves both the Roman Catholic Parish of El Carmen and as a major tourist attraction. The monastery is composed of four distinct main sections and sits across from the Plaza El Carmen. The main features of the monastery include its Baroque architecture, its Sanctuary Chapel, the Main Cloister, and the Cloister of Silence. The Baroque architecture is characterized by its ornate and elaborately carved designs, which are found throughout the church in the walls, ceilings, and pillars. Inside the main chapel is the Sanctuary Chapel, which houses the wooden statue of the Virgin of El Carmen, the patron saint of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima. The Main Cloister is a large courtyard surrounded by archways and includes a fountain and numerous paths which lead to other parts of the monastery. Finally, the Cloister of Silence is located on the opposite side of the Main Cloister and it is designed as a place of contemplation and solitude. In addition to its architectural and religious features, El Carmen Monastery also features a museum which houses religious artifacts and other pieces from the 17th and 18th century. The monastery also serves as the headquarters of the El Carmen Parish and is a popular tourist destination in Lima. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Peru.

History:

El Carmen Monastery is one of the oldest religious buildings in Lima, Peru. It was founded in 1564 by Friar Jeronimo de Loayza, who had come from Spain in search of a better life. He was inspired by a painting of the Virgin of Carmen, which he had seen in his native land. He proposed to erect a message to her here and the rest is history. The Carmelite Order was quick to establish itself in Lima and El Carmen Monastery was their first sanctuary. It was eventually taken over by the Dominican Order in 1628, but was returned to the Carmelites when the Pope granted them permission to do so. The architecture of El Carmen Monastery is a classic example of Spanish Colonial style, with an impressive main chapel, several side ones and cloisters dating back to 1752. It remains an active religious community and serves as a popular tourist attraction for its historical significance and impressive artwork. Over the centuries, the community at El Carmen Monaster has grown from its humble beginnings to over 150 monks and some 200 lay volunteers. Today, the Monastery serves as an oasis of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of modern-day Lima. Even those who are not religious often come to take in its beauty and sense of history. El Carmen Monastery is the home of a unique relic - an adapted version of the traditional Fisherman’s Blessing prayer, said to be written by Friar Jeronimo de Loayza himself. Every day at the Monastery, the prayer is recited along with a peaceful processional around the grounds. Visit one of the famous monuments of Peru with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. El Carmen Monastery is one of the oldest churches in Lima, Peru, having been built by the Augustinian Fathers in 1625. 2. It is the only Augustinian monastery in the Americas that still has its original structure intact. 3. The main facade of the monastery is characterized by its unique combination of arches and columns that were taken from the Inca Empire. 4. Inside the monastery, there is a large painting of the Last Supper that was finished in 1639. 5. It is said that when the Chilean fought invaded during the War of the Pacific, they tried to save the painting by removing it from the monastery. However, it was too large for them, and they ultimately left it where it remains today. 6. The monastery is home to a famous statue of El Carmen, or Our Lady of the Roses. This statue of the Virgin Mary was made in Antigua, Guatemala in 1620 and was brought to Lima in 1627. 7. El Carmen Monastery is part of the Lima Historic Center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the historical monuments of Peru, it tells the story of a bygone era