Cathedral of Lima, Cathedral and museum in Plaza Mayor, Peru.
The Cathedral of Lima occupies the east side of Plaza Mayor, at the second block of Jirón Carabaya. Its Renaissance facade with plateresque ornament has three doors: the central Puerta del Perdón, flanked by the Puerta del Evangelio and Puerta de la Epístola. The facade bears statues of the Apostles and, in the central niche, the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the Peru coat of arms sits above.
Francisco Pizarro laid the first stone in 1535 on the site of an Inca shrine and the palace of prince Sinchi Puma; that church opened in 1540. After a modest second cathedral, Francisco Becerra drew the plan for the present building in 1585, and its naves were consecrated in 1625, with the facade finished in 1632 and the towers in 1649. Construction concluded in 1797.
The cathedral has three naves plus two more where the side chapels open, and along the aisles hang large-format Stations of the Cross. Twelve paintings on the columns link the Apostles to the articles of the Creed, and plaques at the entrance recall John Paul II's visits in 1985 and 1988.
The building is open during morning hours and early afternoon, with a short break at midday. Visitors should keep shoulders and knees covered, and the museum is located in the rear section of the building.
The chapel to the right of the main entrance holds a glass coffin containing the remains of the city's founder. Silver benches near the front date from the 1700s and are used only during special ceremonies.
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