Basílica Catedral De Lima
Introduction
The Basílica Catedral Metropolitana de Lima y Primada del Perú, known widely as the Basílica Catedral de Lima, is located in the Plaza de Armas, in the heart of the historic centre of Lima, Peru. This majestic cathedral is not only the most important church in the country, but also a splendid architectural and cultural landmark. Whether you are drawn by art, history, or spirituality, visiting this remarkable institution promises an inspiring and enriching experience.
About the Museum
The museum that forms part of the Basílica Catedral de Lima is housed within the cathedral itself, offering visitors a journey through centuries of religious, political, and artistic heritage. Founded originally in 1535 when Francisco Pizarro laid its first stone, the building evolved over time—Pope Paul III elevated it to cathedral status on May 14, 1541. It stands today as the third iteration on the same site, shaped by reconstruction efforts following major earthquakes in 1687, 1746, and later in the twentieth century.
Architecturally, the cathedral is a magnificent blend of baroque elements, stone façade, wooden ribbed vaults, and marble floors installed during the early 1900s renovation. Within the interior, visitors will find a central nave flanked by two side naves, twin choir areas, a baroque pulpit and counter-pulpit, European-made chandeliers, marble sculptures, and intricately carved doors and screens.
The museum experience unfolds through various elements: stunning works of sacred art, richly decorated chapels, and crypts that hold significant historical figures. Highlights include colonial-era retablos, paintings, sculptures, and the elaborate chapels that reveal centuries of devotional life and craftsmanship. Visitors descend into crypts that shelter the remains of archbishops, viceroys, and founding leaders—bringing an intimate connection to Peru’s past.
Interesting Facts
- Foundational heritage: Francisco Pizarro laid the first stone in 1535, and in 1541 Pope Paul III elevated the church to cathedral status.
- Architectural resilience: The current building is the third church on the site, reconstructed after earthquakes in 1687, 1746, and later events into the twentieth century.
- Architectural fusion: The design features baroque façade, wooden ribbed ceilings, marble floors, Belgian chandeliers, and European artworks and decorations.
- Art and devotion in chapels:
- The Capilla de la Sagrada Familia features a seventeenth-century wooden carving by Pedro Muñoz, complemented by a nineteenth-century neoclassical retablo by Matías Maestro and 1630s Sevillian tiles.
- The Capilla de la Virgen de la Antigua includes a Baroque painting and a neoclassical retablo by Matías Maestro, with a silver nativity likely gifted by Pizarro’s daughter.
- Diverse chapels: The cathedral contains chapels dedicated to saints such as Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres, and others, each richly adorned with paintings, sculptures, and relics.
- Historic crypts: The Cripta Arzobispal houses archbishops’ remains starting with Gerónimo de Loayza, along with the viceroy Melchor Antonio Portocarrero and others, and was where Pizarro’s remains were found in 1977.
- Crypt of the Virgen de la Candelaria: Discovered in 2011, it contains collective burials of 70 people associated with Lima’s shoemakers and leather workers’ guild, layered with lime to reduce odours.
- Cripta de la Asunción: Contains 18 tombs in three vaults, over 110 bodies of diverse social origins, and a six-metre deep seismic safety shaft at its end.
- Hall of Francisco Pizarro: The Sala Sepulcro features mosaics by Manuel Piqueras Cotolí, a replica of Pizarro’s skeleton, facial reconstruction, and murals depicting the “Thirteen of Fame” and religious figures.
Photo Gallery
Physical Location
Contact Details
Phone: +5196 410 2774
Website: catedraldelima.org.pe/
Facebook: facebook.com/catedraldelima/?locale=es_LA
Conclusion
The Basílica Catedral Metropolitana de Lima y Primada del Perú is far more than a place of worship—it is a living museum that intertwines architectural grandeur, sacred artistry, and centuries of Peruvian history. From its breathtaking façade and intricately adorned chapels to its crypts rich with stories of faith, leadership, and social memory, every corner of this cathedral invites discovery.
A visit here offers a unique opportunity to step into a tangible chronicle of Lima’s formative years—its spiritual convictions, colonial legacy, and artistic achievements. Whether one is drawn by cultural curiosity, historical reverence, or spiritual reflection, the cathedral museum welcomes all with open arms. It is an essential and thoroughly rewarding experience for any visitor to Peru’s capital.
