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Church · Lima, Lima Metropolitana
Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima
A 17th-century Franciscan complex two blocks from the Plaza Mayor, with the catacombs that served as the city's cemetery, an old library, and cloisters decorated with Seville tiles.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima
The Convento de San Francisco is two blocks from the Plaza Mayor and is one of Lima’s most complete religious complexes. The current church was completed in 1674 after an earthquake destroyed the previous building, and the yellow carved-stone façade is an example of Limeño Baroque. The complex is part of the historic center listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The visit to the convent is guided and begins in the cloisters, decorated with tiles brought from Sevilha in the 17th century and featuring a wooden dome in Moorish style. Next come the chapter house, the choir with carved choir stalls, and the library, which holds thousands of old books, some predating the Spanish arrival in the Americas. In the picture gallery there is a colonial-era Last Supper painting in which local Andean dishes appear on the table.
The best-known section is the catacombs beneath the church. They served as the city's cemetery until the early 19th century, and the bones are arranged in pits and brick-and-lime galleries. The passage is narrow and has a low ceiling.
In the plaza in front of the church, pigeons and street vendors are part of the scene. The church remains open for worship, and the convent visit follows its own schedule: check before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour for the guided visit to the convent and the catacombs.
Best time
In the morning or early afternoon. Guided tours run in groups in Spanish and English throughout the day; weekends are busier. Check the schedule before you go.
How to get there
It is two blocks east of the Plaza Mayor, in central Lima, a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral. From Miraflores, take a ride-hailing taxi or the Metropolitano to the center.
Tip
Take the walking tour starting from the Plaza Mayor and leave the catacombs until the end of the guided visit. Photographing inside the convent is not allowed; use the façade and the plaza for photos.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima
Are the catacombs scary?
They are narrow, low-ceiling galleries with bones arranged in pits. The atmosphere is sober and the visit is guided. Anyone uncomfortable in confined spaces can talk to the guide before going down.
Is the visit guided?
Yes, the convent and the catacombs are visited with a guide, in groups that depart throughout the day, in Spanish and in English. Check the times before you go.
Can you take photos?
Inside the convent and the catacombs, generally no. The façade, the plaza and the church exterior can be photographed.
What's special about the library?
It houses thousands of old books, including volumes printed in Europe before the Spaniards arrived in the Americas, in a room of wooden shelves with a spiral staircase.