Monastery of San Francisco, Lima

The San Francisco Monastery is undoubtedly one of the most prominent religious complexes in Lima .We recommend that you make it a part of your itinerary because it is considered a great architectural masterpiece of its times! This building showcases the importance of the Catholic Church during colonial times. The colonial baroque architecture is reminiscent of Spanish buildings complete with typical patios, which are decorated with Sevillian tiles. There are also well preserved wooden stairs, religious paintings and small chapels.

Built in 1557, the church was destroyed by earthquakes in 1656. It was then rebuilt in in 1672. Exploring this church makes for a fascinating experience. While exploring, you must be on a special look out for the famous painting of The Last Supper, where the meal being served is the cuy, i.e., a Peruvian guinea pig.
There is a formal burial ground in the basement of the monastery. The San Francisco Monastery is also known for its catacombs, which according to some visitors is a claustrophobic site. Go take a tour of this eerie place where bones of nearly 75,000 bodies lie all around and then decide for yourself. And while you are there, do make sure you visit the historical library where nearly 25,000 books line the shelves.