Lima is Peru´s capital city, as well as its largest and most important city. It is situated on the central coast of Peru, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, in the valleys of the Chillón, Rimac and Lurín rivers, forming a continuous urban area with the sea port of El Callao.

It was founded by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro, on January 18, 1535, as the “City of the Kings”. It was the capital city of Peru´s Viceroyalty during the Spanish regime and after the independence, it became the capital city of the Republic of Peru. According to the 2007 census, Lima´s population is of 7,605,742 inhabitants. However, the integrated metropolitan area of Lima and Callao shelters 8,482,619 inhabitants, which is equivalent to 30% of the Peruvian population [1]. It is the fifth largest city in Latin America and is ranked among the planet´s 30 largest urban areas.

Lima is located in the center of the Pacific Ocean´s Peruvian coast. Although it was originally founded on the Rimac River valley, today, it extends over huge desert areas and even over other valleys, as some consider it, after Cairo, as the largest city in the world, built on a desert. It is situated at an altitude of 101 m.a.s.l., with temperatures that oscillate between 11 degrees in the winter and 28 degrees Celsius in the summer, converting Lima into a coastal city with a quite mild climate, given that it enjoys a relative humidity varying between 80 and 100% during the whole year, which makes the seasons more subtle, especially the cold season.

LIMA ´S HISTORICAL CENTER

Lima´s Cathedral: It is located on the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) and its construction started on the day of the city´s foundation; on January 18, 1535. Originally, it was a modest church, but in 1564, the master builder Jerónimo de Loayza designed a church of large dimensions, similar to Seville´s Cathedral. Inside it, the choir´s seats, the Immaculate Conception´s Baroque Chapel and the Ivory Christ donated by Carlos the 5th, King of Spain. There, also rest the remains of Francisco Pizarro.
Santo Domingo: It is the oldest convent and given its architectural features, it is one of the city´s most harmonious places. It is composed of a succession of cloisters and patios around which service areas and shared quarters are distributed. On the right side of its main altar, rest the remains of Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres and those of the Devout Juan Masías.
San Francisco: Given its magnificent unity of volume and color, this architectural complex is considered as Hispanic America´s best achieved monument. Its construction started in 1542 and was concluded in 1674.
The convent, cloisters and door frames are adorned with Sevillian tiles and underneath the complex, there are underground galleries or catacombs which, in Viceregal times, served as cemetery.

LIMA´S MANSIONS:

Casa Aliaga: It was built on top of the remains of the Temple of the Curaca Taulichusco; the Rimac Valley´s main authority. The house belonged to Jerónimo de Aliaga who received the land from Francisco Pizarro. In present days and as a unique case in Peru and perhaps in America, that place is inhabited by the conqueror´s descendants.
Pilatos´ House: It is one of Lima´s oldest houses, built in 1590 by the Jesuit Luis Portillo. Its name is due to the similarity that exists between that house and the building called Casa de Pilatos in Seville, Spain.
Casa Goyeneche or Rada: It is one of Lima´s first mansions that display the French influence, as it dates back to the mid 18th century. At present, it preserves its traditional composition, as its balconies and doors which are characteristic of its time period and origin, stand out.
Torre Tagle´s Palace: It is Lima´s most beautiful mansion, dating back to the beginning of the 18th century. It is a true work of art of Lima´s architecture for its absolute originality that shows evidence of Andalusian, Moorish, Creole and Asian contributions that fit harmoniously. The Palace; today´s seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has a stone door frame and two carved balconies that are authentic jewels of the City of the Kings.
Government´s Palace: It is situated on the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) and possesses elegant rooms, along with valuable paintings. It is also known as Pizarro´s House, because it was erected on the place the conqueror chose to build the seat of his administration.
Holy Office´s Court: It was established in 1569, to sanction heresies and other offenses against the Catholic faith. It was abolished in 1820. Outside the building, one can appreciate an imposing neoclassic portal and in the main hall, a beautiful carved wooden ceiling; the best of all still existing in Lima.

NIGHTTIME IN THE CITY OF LIMA

Night life:

Nights in Lima have a name: Barranco; a traditional district, with its old atmosphere full of romanticism, as it is the meeting place of Lima´s bohemians.
In that corner of the city, peace vanishes as night falls and Barranco transforms itself with the Moon. Hundreds of people “assault” the discotheques, bars, restaurants, pubs and casinos. Then, hours become infinite and for a moment, the world seems to be perfect.

But, nighttime is no exclusivity of Barranco. In almost all of Lima´s districts, one can enjoy the night life´s brightness. It is recommended to wander about San Isidro and Miraflores, where there is a variety of options for entertainment: Casinos, discotheques, bars, pubs and Creole clubs, where the party is accompanied by guitars and wooden box drums, with waltzes and polkas, in the old Lima´s traditional way.
In Lima, there are many ways to scare sleepiness away, as nighttime seduces and tempts insomnia.