Museo del Convento de San Francisco y Catacumbas
About This Museum
Step into the heart of Old Lima, and you'll find the Museo del Convento de San Francisco, a place where the city's colonial soul feels palpably alive. It’s famous, perhaps infamously so, for its labyrinthine catacombs that held an estimated 25,000 souls, their bones arranged in startlingly geometric patterns. Above ground, the convent itself is a serene world of Sevillian tilework, soaring domes, and a library filled with ancient texts. This isn't just a museum; it's a quiet, powerful conversation with Lima's layered past.
Collection Highlights
Beyond the haunting catacombs, visitors marvel at the main cloister adorned with vibrant azulejos from Seville and a series of arches painted with the likenesses of apostles. The library is another treasure, housing thousands of antique volumes, while the refectory displays a haunting mural of The Last Supper where Christ and his disciples are said to be dining on guinea pig.
Visitor Information
Be prepared for the catacombs—the air is cool and still, and it’s not for the overly claustrophobic. It’s wise to join one of the excellent guided tours to really grasp the history; they run frequently in both Spanish and English. Just remember, photography is strictly forbidden inside the convent's most sacred spaces.
Architecture & Building
A stunning example of Spanish Baroque architecture, its facade is a beautifully weathered yellow, while inside you'll find intricate Moorish-style wooden ceilings known as artesonado. The complex was built with remarkable resilience, using quincha (a mix of mud and reeds) that has famously withstood Lima's powerful earthquakes for centuries.
Contact & Location
Address: Jirón Ancash, San Cosme, La Victoria, Lima, Lima Metropolitana, Lima, 15011, Perú
Phone: +51 1 4271381
Website: Visit Website
