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Lima
was founded on the banks of the Rimac river on January 18, 1535 by Spanish
conquistador Francisco Pizarro.
Lima's
name is derived from the Quechua word for "that who speaks".
After Pizarro´s conquest, Lima was for three centuries the centre of Spanish
power in the New World until General José de San Martin's declaration
of independence in Peru in 1821.
Being
the capital of Peru and also the starting point for most visitor
itineraries, Lima is well known for its splendid art and architecture
from the colonial period. Its museums are also bursting with artefacts
of gold, ceramics and weavings found in the country's ancient settlements.
Weather
is normally mild and pleasant with temperatures ranging from 10° to 27°C.
Only from June to at least October the skies are grey and almost chilly.
A damp garúa or Scotch mist is common. Annual rainfall is very
low.
The
construction of deluxe hotels has boomed in the charming districts of
Miraflores and San Isidro. You find there beautiful residents,
lovely parks, cafes and restaurants, theatres and an active nightlife.
Dining
is famous in Lima, for Peruvian cuisine is superb! You find lots of cosy
restaurants in all price ranges, in garden settings or by the sea.
Lima´s
colonial treasures are best seen at Plaza Mayor. This historic
square is bordered by the Cathedral that houses glorious treasures
and the remains of Pizarro, the Presidential Palace with daily
ceremonial changing of the guard. Furthermore the Archbishop´s Palace
and the City Hall. But
the real jewel of Lima is the Torre Tagle Palace, a wonderful mixture
of Moorish and local architecture.
The
capital´s most impressive churches include La Merced, San Pedro
and Santa Domingo. All are beautifully baroque, have painted ceilings
and their interiors are full of gold. The convent and cloister of San
Francisco are adorned with tiles from Seville.
The
National Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology shows treasures
recovered from Peru's ancient civilizations like the Incas, Paracas, Nazcas
and many more. The Gold Museum in Monterrico is an underground
museum with items which have been exhibited in the world's leading museums.
There
are many more fine museums like the Larco Museum and the Amano
Museum.
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