Last week I decided to visit the Lima Historical Center, and found out that the image my grandparents told me about the city was there, just in front of my eyes.

Our tour started at 3:00 PM. at the corner of Azángaro and Ucayali streets, at the San Pedro Church. This church, built on 1624, has one of the most beautiful altars I had ever seen decorated with gold leaves that contrast with the beautiful paintings on all the walls. The altars dedicated to Saint Ignacio of Loyola and Saint Lucia invite you to meditation.

After the 15 minutes at this Church, we started walking by Ucayali Street, until we got to Palacio Torre Tagle. This is one of the most important old large houses in the city; it remains in perfect conditions. Built by the end of the XVII century. Treasure of colonial architecture. Its balconies are a masterpiece. Nowadays it houses the Peruvian chancellery.

Just in front of Torre Tagle Palace, is located the Goyeneche House, which front and balconies are also a masterpiece of the colonial style. The garden at the porch gives this house a colonial charm.

As we went walking by this street, we could appreciate that during colonial times each block had a different name, as we could also see many colonial balconies. When we reached Carabaya Street, we turned to the right and walked directly to the Plaza Mayor (Main Square). Here we took some pictures of the Cathedral, Government Palace, Town Hall, and an important city club. Then we visited the Cathedral, and with the help of a guide we could learn some important facts about its interior, it took 20 minutes.

At 4:15 PM. we decided to have a break, having multiple options at the cafes located behind the Town Hall. Once there we had a typical beverage called chicha morada. From these cafes you can observe several artists performing for tourists, mimes, musical shows, etc. If it does not recall your attention you can just appreciate the architectural beauty of the front of the post office.

Then after a little break we continued our tour by Conde de Superunda street, where the statue of the Spanish Francisco Pizarro is located. We continued by this street, walking by the Government Palace and got to the corner, were we could observe balconies and the first house built in Lima.

Walking by the Government Palace, to the north, we got to the train station "Desamparados" and turning to the right the architectural complex of the monastery and church of San Francisco. Its beauty is indescribable, and we could spend a lot of time talking about it. But let me tell you that UNESCO was very fair when decided to declare this monument as a Cultural World Heritage Site. It was very exciting to visit the underground graves. The entrance fee is S/ 5.00 (US$ 1.47) adults and S/ 1.00 children. There were available bilingual tourist guides. This visit is highly recommended.

Then we returned by Junín Street to the main square, we arrived at 5:45, ant take a minibus called "El urbanito" just in front of the town hall. With only S/ 6.00 (US$ 1.76) this bus took us in a guided tour toward Rímac, passing by Plaza de Acho, Paseo de Aguas and then up the San Cristóbal mountain.

When we reached the top of the mountain, it was time to enjoy the most incredible sunset I had ever seen. The sight was perfect; it was possible to see the whole city of Lima. We had the opportunity to see the city changing its day clothes for night ones.

Coming down the mountain, almost 7:15 PM., we went to "Alameda de Los Descalzos" leaving Rímac. We used the old stone bridge to enter the city, crossing the Rímac River. Then the bus stopped at "The Alameda Chabuca Granda".

As it was Sunday we had the chance to enjoy with folkloric shows. These shows are totally free. It is common to find these kinds of shows at the Alameda. As well as we found the shows we could also enjoy with the delicious Peruvian desserts such as arroz zambito, mazamorra morada, ranfañote, suspiro de limeña and many others. All these at the average price of S/ 2.00 (US$ 0.60). I had the chance to eat anticuchos and picarones. And the very famous soda Inca Kola.

We finished this wonderful tour at 8:00 PM.; it was time to go home. A taxi to Miraflores will cost S/ 10.00 (US$ 2.94 )

Actually it is very important to mention that security is well provided by the people who organize the tour.

If you are planning to do this tour but you do not have a lot of time, it will be fine to take this alternative, and it only takes half day. It is also important to take enough film for all the pictures you are planning to take, sometimes it is not easy to find it, or if you find it, it will be very expensive.

February 2001