Overview:

San Francisco Church and Convent is the oldest church in Lima, dating back to the 1500’s. It was built by the Franciscan order and features a well-preserved baroque architecture. The layout of the church is composed of three aisles and two cloisters that lead to a peaceful garden. Inside the church you’ll find frescoes, intricate sculptures and paintings. The main altar is decorated with silver and glistening gold. The church and convent are an integral part of Lima’s history and a must-see for travelers visiting the city. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Peru
Prominent Features:

1. The San Francisco Church and Convent in Lima, Peru is the oldest church in Lima and is considered one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. 2. It was built in the 16th century and its façade is adorned with elegant ornate baroque designs. 3. The interior of the church houses an impressive collection of colonial artwork, including religious works, altarpieces, and gold-plated sculptures of saints. 4. The convent was the residence of colonial-era Dominican friars and the cellars are believed to be hiding places for political dissidents and treasures during the struggle for independence in Peru. 5. The complex is noted for its famous side-chapel, La Capellada, which contains the tombs of the Viceroys and other important figures of colonial Lima. 6. Visitors to the church can see the crypt, which is believed to contain the remains of St. Rose of Lima, the first Peruvian-born saint. 7. Alongside the church is an art museum, showcasing religious and colonial artwork and artifacts from Peru's rich cultural heritage. 8. The complex also houses a library containing rare books and manuscripts. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Peru.

History:

The San Francisco Church and Convent in Lima, Peru is one of the most important colonial structures in the city. The site of the church and convent is believed to be the location of an Inter-Andean pre-Hispanic temple dedicated to the sun god, Inti. The Spanish Conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, in 1534, made this temple and the area around it the nucleus of the city of Lima. The church was constructed between 1541 and 1609. It was the first Christian church in Lima and was built by order of Fray Diego de Oropesa, the Franciscan Provincial. This Franciscan order was granted a deed to the land by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo. The church has a Valencian design, and it originally had a single nave and a small dome. In 1622, additions were made to the church at the request of Archbishop Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo. These added a single nave and two additional domes to the existing structure. The facade was also modified in this expansion work. In 1650, the golden altar piece, the work of Purísima de la Concepción, was added to the church. The convent was only constructed after the church. Between 1616 and 1620, the old temple was demolished and the convent was built in its place. The convent is composed of a number of long corridors surrounding a cloister. The most impressive of these is the Condesal cloister, made with cedar woods in 1638. It is the oldest wooden structure in Lima. Throughout its long history, the San Francisco Church and Convent have undergone numerous renovations. In the nineteenth century, the church was completely renovated by the architect Luis Eduardo Fuster, with the help of the royal houses. It was at this time that it took its current form. Today the convent is used as a school, known as the Colegio San Francisco de Asís and the church is still used for religious purposes. The church and convent are both among the most important cultural symbols of Lima and the country of Peru. They are also important World Heritage Sites which are listed in UNESCO’s cultural conservation program. Visit one of the famous monuments of Peru with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The San Francisco Church and Convent in Lima, Peru was built in the 15th century when the Spanish conquistadors first landed in Peru. 2. The San Francisco Church and Convent is the oldest surviving colonial church and convent in all of the Americas. 3. The San Francisco Church and Convent has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned as an exquisite example of Spanish Baroque architecture. 4. The famous sculptor Francisco Pizarro was responsible for building the church, which was the first religious building to be erected in the new city of Lima. 5. Inside the San Francisco Church and Convent can be seen the underground crypt where the remains of conquistador Francisco Pizarro are entombed in a marble tomb. 6. Inside the San Francisco Church and Convent, there is the "Catacombs of the Sacristy", an underground corridor with the remains of over 25,000 deceased that were buried there in the 18th century. 7. The San Francisco Church and Convent complex also features the Museum of Religious Art, where religious artifacts from Peru and other parts of the world are displayed. 8. The San Francisco Church and Convent are located in the Plaza de San Francisco, which is one of the most popular public squares in Lima and a popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike. One of the historical monuments of Peru, it tells the story of a bygone era