Centro Histórico

Lima, Peru

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Centro Histórico is the old colonial heart of Lima, the capital of Peru, located mainly in the districts of Lima and Rímac along the Rimac River valley. It was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and became the political and cultural center of the Viceroyalty of Peru, earning the nickname “Ciudad de los Reyes” (City of the Kings). Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its grid‑shaped colonial layout, colorful 16th–19th‑century buildings with ornate wooden balconies, and landmarks such as the Plaza de Armas, the Lima Cathedral, the Government Palace, and the Convent of San Francisco. The area mixes monumental churches, museums, government buildings, and bustling streets, hosting religious festivals, cultural events, and lively local life while reflecting both Spanish colonial influence and later Peruvian identity.