Landmarks of Central Lima, Lima, Peru (A)

This plaza is of great historic and political importance to Peru. The Legislative Palace – the seat of Peru’s Congress – is located here, and the site also served as the former Tribunal of the Inquisition. The Museo de la Inquisicion is located right across from this plaza – which is also referred to as the Plaza of Congress or the Plaza of the Inquisition. At the center of the plaza is a statue and monument honoring Simon Bolivar – who, along with Jose de San Martin, fought to liberate South America from Spanish rule in the early 19th century and served as president of the union of newly-independent Latin American nations from 1819 to 1830.

Situated right on the Plaza de Armas in central Lima next to La Catedral on land donated by Francisco Pizarro, construction on this neo-colonial palace began just after the formation of Lima in 1535 to function as a monument to the power of the Catholic Church leadership in Latin America as well as the residence of Lima’s Archbishop. Materials including mahogany, bronze, marble, granite, cedar, and tiles from Seville were shipped from abroad to complete the original structure – and the palace was renovated in 1924. Opened to the public in 2009, this palace displays a wonderful collection of religious art, antique furniture, and a cathedral archive.

This gorgeous plaza is the historical center of Lima, as well as a busy public space. The conquistador Francisco Pizarro as the first building block of the city of Lima designated the site in 1535, and the ornate fountain functioning as the Plaza’s centerpiece was added in 1651. The plaza served many functions during the colonial period – including a bull fighting ring, a location for gallows, a market, one of the sites on which the Spanish Inquisition occurred, and the official site for the proclamation of Peru’s independence in 1821. A number of important city structures surround the plaza – including La Catedral and the Government palace – and the entire scene is beautifully lit up at night amid the hustle and bustle of tourists and locals alike.

The headquarters of Peru’s executive branch of government and residence of the President of the Republic of Peru, this palace occupies a prime location overlooking the Plaza de Armas. Francisco Pizarro built the first version of this palace in 1536, and the current building dates back to 1938 – as the site has suffered six major earthquakes during its inception and a fire in 1921. Designed by the architect Ricardo de la Jara Malachowsky, the current building is fashioned in the neo-baroque style. A number of armed guards are on vigilant duty in front of the palace – which can be toured with an advanced reservation with the Office of Public Relations.

Built in 1807 by the successful banker, merchant, and ship owner Don Martin de Osambela, this colonial mansion sits just a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Armas in central Lima. The building was designed in the French Rococo style, and the interior contains 40 rooms, as well as a third-story lookout tower above, from where the owner could see ships arriving at the Callao Harbor. The mansion was declared a national monument in 1963, was restored in the 1980’s, and today houses the Garcilaso de la Vega Cultural Center - which is free and open to the public.

One of Lima’s iconic colonial mansions, the Casa de Riva-Aguero contains a staggering 27 rooms, balconies, and a beautiful courtyard. Located across from the Iglesia de San Augustin and just a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Armas, the mansion houses a small folk-art museum opened in 1979, with tours of the rest of the house shown by appointment only. Built in the late 18th century and last owned by the writer Don Jose de la Riva Aguero, the house was donated to the Catholic University and contains a library of over 60,000 works as well as a historical archive.

Located between the Plaza de Armas and the Parque de la Cultura, the Plaza San Martin was inaugurated on July 27, 1921 to celebrate the centennial of Peru’s independence. Designed by Manuel Piqueras Cotoli, the plaza contains marble benches and handrails, bronze street lamps, four fountains, and an array of landscaped gardens. The large monument in the center of the plaza pays tribute to Jose de San Martin, who – along with Simon Bolivar – fought to liberate South America from Spanish rule. The plaza is surrounded by a number of historic colonial buildings – and the entire area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Built in 1947 and standing on the site of a former prison, this striking building was designed by the architect Bruno Paprocki and modeled after the Palace of Justice in Brussels. Set in a position overlooking the Paseo de Republica and the Parque de la Cultura, the huge neoclassical columns create an impressive façade at this seat of Peru’s Supreme Court of the Republic. Two huge marble lions guard the main stairway, and the Great Hall includes more columns and huge bronze lamps. While the Palacio de Justicia is not open to the general public, it is certainly worth seeing and snapping a few photographs.

This gated, centrally located park was originally established in 1868 as the Parque de la Exposicion. Re-inaugurated in 2010 as the Parque de la Cultura by President Alan Garcia, the ceremony included the unveiling of a bust paying tribute to the late political leader Luis Alberto Sanchez. Lush green lawns and trees surround a collection of fountains and buildings showing off Victorian architecture. Art is a primary focus, with many outdoor art shows – and the park houses the Museo de Arte de Lima and the Museo de Arte Italiano. An amphitheater within the park houses a number of concerts and other events free to the public.

This multi-use national stadium in central Lima was originally constructed in 1952 to host the 1953 South American Football (soccer) Championship, and began being renovated in 2009 – with a planned seating capacity of 55,000. A project costing over $53 million and expected to open in May of 2011, the new version of the stadium will include the addition of 371 luxury boxes, more than 700 new underground parking spaces, and a tower with a gourmet restaurant with panoramic views of the city. While soccer is its primary function, the stadium also includes an Olympic running track, and has hosted a number of concert events.

The Parque le la Reserva was built in 1929 and occupies a central location between Central Lima and the Miraflores district. The park houses a number of sculptures and works by Peruvian artists. City leaders added the “Magic Water Tour” in 2007, which is the largest collection of fountains in the world, at a cost of about $13 million (US). Lit up at night with an assortment of changing colors and shapes, the fountains serve as a foundation for a number of multimedia events featuring music, laser lights, and video images in addition to the water displays – many of which offer the visitor the opportunity to walk through tunnels formed by the fountains. To end this tour, simply take a taxi or bus north to the Plaza de Armas or south to Miraflores.