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Iglesia de San Francisco, Lima

Iglesia de San Francisco, Lima, Peru
The distinctive baroque facade of the Iglesia de San Francisco. Photo: Amy Allcock.






The Iglesia de San Francisco (Church of Saint Francis) is the most visited church in Lima, and with good reason.

Built in 1674, the attractive yellow church is considered the best example of the "Lima Baroque" style of architecture. The handsome carved portal would later influence those on other churches, including the Iglesia de la Merced.

Catacombs below San Francisco Church, Lima, Peru
Designs made of bones in the catacombs. Photo: Vincent Noel.

The central nave is known for its beautiful ceilings painted in a style called mudejar (a blend of Moorish and Spanish designs). On a tour, you can peruse the adjoining monastery's immense collection of antique texts, some dating back to the 17th century.

The best part of a tour is a visit to the vast catacombs. The city's first cemetery, these underground tunnels contains the bones of some 75,000 people. In many places the bones have been stacked in eerie geometric patterns.

Location Map

Location map and satellite view of the Iglesia de San Francisco in Lima. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around.

Visitor Information for Cusco Cathedral

Address: Jr. Ancash 471, Lima, Peru
Phone: 01/427-1381
Hours: Daily 9:30-5:45
Cost: S/5

Sources

  1. Fodor's Peru, 2nd ed.

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