Lima Main Square

Lima, Peru

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Lima Main Square, also known as Plaza de Armas or Plaza Mayor, is the central historic square in the city of Lima, Peru, founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 as the heart of the new capital. It sits in the middle of the city’s colonial centre and is surrounded by major landmarks, including the Government Palace on its north side, the Lima Cathedral on the east, the Archbishop’s Palace, the City Hall, and other colonial‑style buildings with ornate balconies. At the centre of the square stands a large 17th‑century bronze fountain and a statue of Pizarro on horseback, and the plaza is lined with palm trees, benches, and flowerbeds, making it a lively gathering place for locals and tourists. Once used for markets, bullfights, and public ceremonies, today the square serves as a focal point for political events, religious processions, and cultural life, reflecting Lima’s long history and colonial‑era urban layout.