| Lima’s sheer size often bewilders visitors but many of the city’s museums, churches and colonial treasures are conveniently located in the historic centre. In the old days, the centre was filthy and overcrowded, however, a recent campaign to clean up the streets has paid dividends. Now the centre has much to delight sightseers. Tours usually start in Plaza de Armas, which was the city’s main meeting point and marketplace. Around four hundred years ago, bullfights were held in this square – the current bullring is a ten-minute walk away. Dominating the square is the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace). It stands on the site of the original palace built by Lima’s founder Pizarro. Also on the main square is the Cathedral, rebuilt in 1758, after an earthquake destroyed the original building. Pizarro’s daughter helped pay for the original cathedral, on condition that her father was buried in the crypt. Nearby, the Pasaje Nicolas de Ribera el Viejo sports elegant cafés, while the Palacio Torre Tagle, with its Moorish-influenced wooden balconies, is one of the city’s most beautiful Spanish colonial mansions. A few blocks east lies Plaza Bolivar, where the fascinating Museo de la Inquisicion (Spanish Inquisition Museum) is located. Other ‘musts’ include the Museo de la Nacion, for an overview of Peru’s archaeological riches and the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum), with its collection of stunning gold artefacts. |