Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MONASTERIO DE SAN FRANCISCO
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( 426-7377;
www.museocatacumbas.com
; cnr Lampa & Ancash; adult/child under 15 S7/1;
9:30am-5:30pm)
This bright-yellow Franciscan monastery and church is most famous for its
bone-lined catacombs and remarkable library, where you can take in the sight of 25,000
antique texts, some of them predating the conquest. There are many other things worth
seeing, too, including a Moorish-style cupola, over the main staircase, which was carved
in 1625 (restored 1969) out of Nicaraguan cedar. Admission includes guided tours in Eng-
lish or Spanish.
IGLESIA DE LA MERCED
( 427-8199; cnr Jirón de la Unión & Miró Quesada; 10am-noon & 5-7pm)
The first Latin Mass
in Lima was held in 1534, on a small patch of land now marked by this incredible church,
most of which dates to the 18th century. Its most striking feature is the imposing granite
facade, which is carved in the
churrigueresque
manner (a highly ornate late-baroque
style). Inside, the nave is lined by more than two-dozen magnificent baroque and
Renaissance-style altars, some of which are carved entirely out of mahogany.
To the right as you enter is a large silver cross that once belonged to Father Pedro Ur-
raca (1583-1657), a priest renowned for having had a vision of the Virgin. Peruvians often
come and place a hand on the cross and pray for miracles.
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