More than 400 years ago, it was called the City of the Kings by the conquistador (conqueror) Francisco Pizarro. Today, that same city that emerged on the lands of the native cacique Taulichusco, is a metropolis of over 7 million inhabitants, which proudly retains its convents and colonial ranches, as a symbol of their ancient and noble tradition.
Founded on January 18, 1535, Lima, the capital of Peru, is a modern city in constant growth, yet, at the same time, it has maintained the richness of its Historical Center, which has been declared by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage to Humanity, for being a charming haven of a bygone era, filled with incomparable artistic monuments.
Tourist Attractions
Cathedral of Lima
It is found at the Main Square. The day the City of Lima was founded, on January 18th, 1535, was the day when the building of the Cathedral began. It was originally a small temple, but in 1564 the Alarife Jerónimo de Loayza, designed a large temple, similar to the Cathedral of Seville. Some of the outstanding pieces found on the inside are the stalls for the choir, the chapel of the Immaculate Churrigueresque, the remains of Francisco Pizarro and the Ivory-made Christ donated by Charles V, King of Spain.
Government Palace
It is located at the Main Square, featuring elegant rooms and valuable paintings. Is also known by the name of “House of Pizarro” because it stands in the place chosen by the conqueror to build the headquarters of his administration.
San Francisco
This architectural complex is considered to be the best achieved historic, monumental environment in Latin America, because of its superb volume and color. Its construction began in 1542 and ended in 1674.
The monastery, cloisters and the goal, are decorated with tiles brought from Seville, and below them, there are underground galleries or catacombs which, in colonial times, served as a cemetery.
LarcoMar Mall
LarcoMar is located in the district of Miraflores, in the department(capital) of Lima. This recreation center is located on the side of cliffs of the Costa Verde, which is a circuit of sandy beaches.
There are 2 characteristics which make it unique among the rest of shopping centers anywhere in the world:
* It is built on an excavation at the top of the cliff, and many of its spaces “hang” over emptiness, which gives them a “floating” effect. It should be stressed that the capital of is located in a highly seismic zone, which makes the project more extraordinary. * The mall was built in the area of the jetty which was previously occupied by a public park. Starting - virtually – from the park, giving way to a larger area, which is really the coverage of the underground parking lot and the movie theaters. The ancient monument which read “Parque Salazar” (the park’s name) and which used to be in the green areas, was relocated and placed in visual axes projected to Larco Avenue, which starts from the park and goes into the commercial area of Miraflores. The underground ventilation system was filled with large vents that give the appearance of "chimneys" sprouting in the park as large blue glass sculptures, which, despite being very strange, ended up being accepted by their aesthetic quality and originality, thus giving the complex certain dynamism and vanguard at the same time.
This shopping center can be visited and enjoyed during the day and at night time, in its indoor and outdoor spaces in order to enjoy the midday sun or the evening sea breeze, whether you decide to walk in the artificial park -without even noticing it, or go shopping in the stores that have balcony-view corridors, or enjoying a newly released movie in one of the fantastic digital-sound-equipped movie theaters and finishing off with a great dinner, a cup of coffee or a drink in one of the “floating” restaurants, watching and listening to the Pacific Ocean. Features: A shopping center with about 160 locations designated for boutiques, restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, fast food premises, etc. A multiplex cinema complex with 12 rooms and a capacity for 2.360 spectators.
A performing arts theater with a capacity for 200 spectators.
A bowling alley with 24 tracks.
A 40.000 m2 plaza in the form of a balcony on a cliff, overlooking the sea.
A parking lot for 773 cars at various underground levels, with a planned area of expansion.
A park area with ornamental "kinetic" (light and water) water fountains.
Bridge of the Sighs
It was built in 1876 and inaugurated on February 14th, during the administration of the first mayor of Barranco: Mr. Enrique García Monterroso. Its construction was a necessity in order to join the ends of the gorge and allow the passage of the rivieras of Ayacucho and Ermita streets.
It endured the Pacific War and witnessed the destruction of Barranco on the 14th of January in 1881, at which time the Chilean troops burned the city, destroying part of the Ermita temple and the Bridge. After that, it was repaired, and has been again, many times. The name derives from the countless romances that have taken-and still take- place in this picturesque corner in Barranco. In 1921, Mayor Enrique De Las Casas had it entirely repaired, as it was severely damaged. Since then, it has been called the Bridge of Sighs. The Bridge resisted the earthquake of 1940, but it was cut shorter, leaving it only 31 meters long. There is a tradition that says that the person to see the bridge for the first time and cross it without breathing will be entitled to the fulfillment of one wish.
The bridge served as inspiration for a very famous song composed in 1960 by the Barranco native composer Chabuca Granda. The song is called "Bridge of the Sighs".
The Magical Water Circuit
The Magical Water Circuit is located in the Parque de la Reserva (Reservation Park) of Lima, it is an attraction for the people of Lima and its visitors. It is a spectacle of light, sound, water, and fountains.
The most striking, important part is the spectacle of light, color and sound, so the best time to visit is at sunset, as from then on, all the fountains are illuminated.
“The Fountain of Fantasy” has an audiovisual projection with an allusion to the city of Lima and the culture and history of Peru, which is precisely projected on a curtain of water that this fountain forms. All this is accompanied by music and laser lights, making it an impressive spectacle. The entire complex of the Magical Water Circuit of Lima is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest complex of fountains. It also has the world’s highest fountain (with a jet that goes over 80 meters up in the air), it is called “The Magic Fountain”. Another attraction is the Fountain of Illusion, in which one can interact with the various water jets. There is also the “Tunnel of Surprises” Fountain, which we highly recommend.
