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Museum · Lima, Lima Metropolitana
Museo Larco
Museum of pre-Columbian art in an 18th-century mansion in Pueblo Libre, with Moche ceramics, gold and silver pieces, textiles and a conservation reserve open to visitors. It has gardens and a restaurant.
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 Museo Larco
The Museo Larco is housed in an 18th-century viceregal mansion built over a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid, in the Pueblo Libre neighborhood. It was founded in 1926 by Rafael Larco Hoyle, who assembled one of the largest collections of ancient Peruvian art, with pieces from almost every culture of the coast and the Andes, from millennia before the Incas up to the arrival of the Spaniards.
The galleries follow the chronology of Peruvian cultures: Cupisnique, Chavín, Paracas, Nazca, Moche, Wari, Chimú and Inca. The highlight is Moche pottery, with portrait vessels of human faces so detailed they resemble sculptures. There are also textiles, gold and silver items used by rulers, such as crowns, chest ornaments and earrings, and a room dedicated to the use of metals.
Unlike most museums, Larco opens its reserve (storage) to visitors: thousands of ceramic vessels arranged on shelves, organized by theme and culture. A separate gallery houses erotic pottery, which depicts scenes of sexuality with the frankness of Moche art.
The mansion has gardens with bougainvillea, a white courtyard and a restaurant. The captions are in Spanish and English. The museum is usually open every day, including at night; check the hours 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
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the main galleries, the reserve and the garden.
Best time
Any time: the museum is usually open every day, and the extended evening hours let you combine the visit with dinner. Weekends are busier. Check opening hours before you go.
How to get there
It is located on Avenida Bolívar in Pueblo Libre, about 7 km from Miraflores and 4 km from the city center. An app taxi takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Tip
Don't skip the reserve, with shelves of ceramics from floor to ceiling. Visit the erotic gallery last, and let staff know beforehand if you are with children: it is in a separate area.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museo Larco
What to see first at the Museo Larco?
The Moche ceramics room, with the portrait vessels, and the gold and silver room. Then the technical reserve, with thousands of pieces on the shelves, and finally the erotic gallery.
Does the museum have labels in English?
Yes. The labels are in Spanish and English. There is an audio guide and guided tours in other languages; check at the museum.
Is it suitable to go with children?
Yes. The erotic ceramics gallery is separated from the other rooms, allowing you to plan the route. The garden and the courtyard provide a place to pause.
Why is the manor house on top of a pyramid?
The viceregal manor was built on top of a 7th-century adobe pyramid, as happened with several huacas in the Lima region during the colonial occupation.