Attraction
Plaza Mayor de Lima
Lima's main square, laid out when Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1535 and framed by the cathedral, the Government Palace and the Municipal Palace.
Basilica and Convent of San Francisco
A 17th-century Franciscan church and convent in Lima's historic centre, visited for its Baroque facade, tiled cloister, old library and the catacombs beneath the church.
At a glance
- Type
- Baroque church, convent and catacombs
- Area
- Historic Centre, Lima, Peru
Good to know
- Catacombs
- Historic library
- Tiled cloister
Why we recommend it
The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco is the most visited religious complex in Lima's historic centre, and for good reason. The Franciscans were given land soon after Lima's foundation in 1535, but an earthquake on 4 February 1655 destroyed the convent. Work on the present buildings started in 1657, with plans by Constantino de Vasconcellos, and the church was inaugurated on 3 October 1672. The whole complex forms part of the Historic Centre of Lima, inscribed by UNESCO in 1988 and extended in 1991.
From the outside, look at the facade, a fine example of what is called Lima Baroque, with its rhythmic rusticated stonework. Inside the convent, the main cloister has eleven arches on each side and walls lined with tiles from Seville, together with a series of 39 paintings from 1671 on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The art collection also includes a large Last Supper painted in 1658, Passion scenes linked to the workshop of Rubens and a series of saints and apostles associated with Zurbarán's workshop.
Two parts of the visit stand out. The library holds about 25,000 volumes, some from the 16th century, including incunabula and more than 6,000 parchments. Below ground are the catacombs, which served as the city's cemetery in colonial times until 1810 and were rediscovered in 1951. Estimates suggest up to 70,000 people were buried there, and the bones arranged in the ossuaries are the image most visitors take away. The underground passages are low and narrow in places, so they may not suit anyone with claustrophobia or limited mobility.
The square in front of the church has been closed to the public since August 2022 because of a dispute between the municipality and the Franciscan order over a demolished wall; Peru's Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the municipality in June 2025 and restoration work was authorised to continue, so expect hoardings around the entrance for a while.
San Francisco stands at the corner of Jirón Áncash and Jirón Lampa, a short walk from the Plaza Mayor, so it fits easily into a half-day walk around the historic centre with the cathedral and the Government Palace. Allow about an hour for the visit.
Basilica and Convent of San Francisco FAQs
Where is the San Francisco convent?
At the corner of Jirón Áncash and Jirón Lampa in the historic centre, a short walk from the Plaza Mayor.
What are the catacombs?
They were the city's cemetery in colonial times until 1810 and are thought to hold the remains of up to 70,000 people. They were rediscovered in 1951.
How old is the church?
The current buildings were begun in 1657 after an earthquake in 1655 and the church was inaugurated in 1672.
What else is there to see apart from the catacombs?
The tiled main cloister, a series of 39 paintings on the life of Saint Francis and a library of about 25,000 volumes.
Are the catacombs suitable for everyone?
The passages are low and narrow in places, so they may be difficult for people with claustrophobia or limited mobility.
Why is the square in front closed?
It has been closed since August 2022 because of a dispute over a demolished wall; a court ruled for the municipality in 2025 and restoration work continues.
Is it a UNESCO site?
Yes, as part of the Historic Centre of Lima, a World Heritage Site inscribed in 1988 and extended in 1991.