San Francisco is a sixteenth-century church and convent located in central Lima. Visitors can stroll around the gorgeous courtyards and marvel at the woodwork, tiles and paintings that adorn the inside of the convent. One highlight is the catacombs, a public cemetery where bodies were stacked like wood and allowed to decompose before being stored elsewhere. Also, look for the painting of the last supper in which the disciples are eating cuy, or guinea pig, a traditional Andean dish. Part of the San Francisco convent has been set aside as a museum (admission: 5 soles / $1.60, open 10 a.m.- 5:45 p.m. daily). It houses an impressive collection of colonial and republican era paintings and religious art, such as carved crosses, urns, etc. The museum prides itself on its collection of paintings by Francisco Zurbarán, a well known artist. Aficionados of colonial or religous art will enjoy the museum. San Francisco is located in central Lima, only about two blocks away from the Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral.

Museum

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Reviews

Traveler Reviews of San Francisco

Nice church

Nice church. You can go as well to the museum where you will see "las catacumbas." Nice place but very crowded.

geovanny gallardo from quito,ecuador on Jan 05, 2009

Cool experience

I liked the church, but watch out at the plaza, everybody will try to sell you something.

Traveler from Miami, FL on Mar 31, 2008