National Archaeology Museum / Museo Nacional de Arqueología

Museum

V!VA User‘s Description

This museum, whose full name is El Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología, e Historia, is a must-see for history buffs visiting Lima. Like the National Museum, it provides an overview of the history of the region, mostly before the arrival of the Spanish. It is easier to navigate than the National Museum, however, and most visitors prefer it to its larger cousin. The museum oversees one of the largest collections of pre-hispanic art and relics in the world.

Some of the highlights include exceptionally well-preserved mummies from the Nazca region and the Estela Raimondi, an enormous carved stone that once resided at Chavín de Huántar, a major pre-Columbian site. It is carved with snakes, animals and gods. The building that houses the museum is also beautiful and historic and is included on the tour. As not all of the exhibits are labeled in English, a guide is suggested if your Spanish is not very good.

Address: Plaza Bolívar, Lima, Peru

Phone: 51-1-463-5070

entry: 10 soles / $3.30.  

hours: Daily 9 a.m.-5p.m. (closed Mondays)

Traveler Reviews of National Archaeology Museum / Museo Nacional de Arqueología

Great museum

Rating: 100%

Everything was well lit, easy to see and displayed attractively. Not very crowded. We had an English speaking guide, a necessity if you don't read and understand Spanish. Very interesting.

By V!VA User from Colorado, Jan 11, 2006