Monastery of San Francisco, Franciscan monastery in Historic Center of Lima, Peru.
The Monastery of San Francisco is a Baroque building in central Lima featuring a basilica, multiple courtyards, and numerous chapels that expanded over several centuries. Beneath these structures lie extensive underground spaces connected by stone passages that form a significant portion of the complex.
The monastery was built by the Franciscan Order shortly after Lima's foundation in the 16th century, beginning as a simple chapel that gradually grew into a major religious center. Over centuries it was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded while remaining a key institution in the city's history.
The monastery has served as a spiritual center for the city for centuries, shaping the religious life of the community in ways visitors can still observe today. The spaces and decorations reflect the faith and traditions that have been practiced within these walls since their establishment.
The monastery is open daily for visitors and can be explored independently or with guided tours available in multiple languages. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since you will walk through both the surface areas and underground passages.
The underground chambers contain the remains of thousands of people whose bones were carefully arranged in geometric patterns. This practice reflected burial traditions found in many European and colonial American monasteries during that period.
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