The Main Square of Lima, like the cathedral, was established by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, although since then it has undergone numerous transformations. The Main Square of Lima has quite large dimensions and offers a feeling of freedom and tranquility thanks to the spaciousness it possesses as it lacks ornamental elements.
¿Where is the Lima’s Main Square?
The location of the Main Square of Lima is in the historic center of the city, crossed by the following streets: Jirón de la Unión, Jirón Carabaya, Jirón Junín and Jirón Huallaga.
Located in the historic center of Lima, around it are the buildings of the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Church of the Sagrario, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Union Club.
You can enjoy all these tourist attractions in Lima, reserving our best guided tours of Perú.
Information of the Main Square of Lima
The Main Square of Lima is an urban and historical space that is located in the Historic Center of Lima. This square has the same age as the city since it was also founded on January 18, 1535.
The square is important, in addition to the years it presents, for presenting the most important governmental and religious buildings around it, as is the case of the Cathedral of Lima; the Government Palace, former Palace of the Viceroys, and the Municipal Palace, former seat of the council.
As part of the attractions that the traveler can find in this square, and that increase its historical and artistic value, is the fountain. The fountain in the Main Square of Lima was placed in its current place in the seventeenth century, and replaced a previous structure placed there in the sixteenth century by Viceroy Toledo. The current piece is the product of a donation made by Count Salvatierra, hence, among the shields that can be seen in it, that of the count’s family is recognized, in addition to the Royal shield of Spain, and that of Lima.
On a historical level, the Main Square of Lima is important, among many reasons, for being the place from which the Independence of Perú is declared. One of the reasons that add up for it to be considered today part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Description of the Lima’s Main Square
The Main Square of Lima is the oldest, it is the founding square, it is the nucleus of the urban life of the people of Lima and an almost obligatory tourist spot for travelers to visit. It is surrounded by colonial and republican buildings, such as: the Cathedral of San Juan de Lima, the Casa de Pizarro, the Palacio del Club de la Unión, etc. and in the central part there is a beautiful colonial pool from the mid-17th century. The exact place where the Water Pool is located is 160 meters above sea level; Until a few decades ago it was also known as the «Zero» kilometer, because from this point the kilometers for road signs began to be measured.
If you are planning a travel itinerary to Perú for 15 Days, you must include a visit to this beautiful square.
Characteristics of the Lima’s Main Square
We can comment that this beautiful square has important characteristics of the Main Square of Lima that are worth emphasizing. One of them is that its layout is the original one from the time of the founding of the city in 1535. Another important characteristic of the Main Square of Lima is that only the Cathedral, the central pool and the Casa del Oidor are from the colonial era, the rest of the buildings that surround this square including the government palace were built during the 20th century.
In this beautiful place you will be able to travel back in time since you will be part of 20th century architecture, also, century you will see architecture of the 19th century, 17th century. In short, you will be a partner in the history of the Republic of Perú, visiting a single site, since several colonial, independence and modern times converge all at the same time.
It has gardens, sculpture and two rows of palm trees and electric lanterns, which provide exquisite lighting to the square. One of the main charms of this. All the buildings around it are well illuminated in their contours giving a quality in the general lighting of the set that will leave you speechless.
Enjoy every corner of the Plaza de Armas in Lima on our best vacation packages to Perú or any Perú vacation packages to Lima.
History of the Lima’s Main Square
When Francisco Pizarro arrived in the Rímac Valley and re-founded Lima, he did so following the Ordinances for the founding of cities in the new world, dictated by Carlos I of Spain — King of Spain.
In this ordinance, it is pointed out that first a layout of the city had to be made to be founded with string and a grid-shaped rule (like a chessboard), always starting from the Main Square of Lima. In conclusion, Lima as a European city is born in this square.
After the founding of Lima in 1535, having the Main Square of Lima as a point of origin, the most important buildings of the colonial period were built around it, some of these constructions and sculptures still exist today, such as: La Casa del Oidor, The Cathedral and the Water Pool; the other constructions such as the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Palace and others date from the republican period (after 1821).
During the viceroyalty era, the main square served as an open-air market, as a bullring and as an execution site for those convicted for political and religious reasons.
Activities in Lima’s Main Square
The Main Square of Lima is a meeting place, it is also one of the most important points in the center of Lima, and there are a lot of activities to do in the Main Square of Lima.
The Main Square of Lima occupies a whole block and has around it several emblematic buildings of Lima, they are:
- Government Palace of Perú.
- The Cathedral of Lima.
- The Archbishop’s Palace.
- City Hall.
- The Union Club – Republican Building.
- Jirón de la Unión— colonial street.
- La Casa del Oidor— colonial building.
- Plaza Perú.
- The Sagrario Church.
- Headquarters building of the magazine Caretas.
Visit all these attractions and more in our 5 days itinerary tour to Perú
Schedules
The Main Square is open to the public 24 hours a day and is freely accessible, the best time to visit it is when there are festivities that take place in the Main Square of Lima.
On National Pisco Day (celebrated on the last Sunday of July each year), the water from the Pool in the Main Square of Lima is literally replaced by Pisco and is free.
Price
This place is 100% Free. So don’t hesitate to include this destination in your 5 days itinerary tour to Perú or in a 6 days itinerary travel package in Perú.
Free Tour to the Main Square of Lima
If you want a qualified tourist guide, to give you a professional description of the Main Square of Lima and its surroundings in approximately 2.5 hours, you can book a free tour.
Restaurants in Lima’s Main Square
If you are in the center of Lima and want to try Lima’s gastronomy, we recommend you visit the following restaurants in the Main Square of Lima:
- Visit Gordon Blue, this is a clean, rich and cheap restaurant, the price ranges from 10 to 15 Soles— (3 to 5 USD).
- Visit Perú Gourmet, this restaurant is standard for tourists, prices vary between 35 to 70 Soles— (10 to 20 USD).
Bars in the Main Square of Lima
- Visit the oldest bar in Lima— Bar Cordano.
- Visit the bar of the Hotel Maury in Lima, the Pisco Sour was invented in this bar, more than half a century ago.
Hotels near the Main Square of Lima Perú
The historic center of Lima is one of the ideal locations to stay in Lima as a traditional tourist because they are close to the places of interest to visit. Near the Main Square of Lima you will find a good range of urban hotels with acceptable amenities.
In this way, you can explore the Plaza Mayor, which is said to be the most beautiful in all of Latin America.
If you are booking a Perú tour package, we recommend that you ask your travel agency to include in your reservation a hotel near the square, so that you can visit it during your free time or go out to dinner in one of its restaurants and enjoy the delicious cuisine .
The Quinta de Amat
Hotel in Lima’s Historic Center (0.2 miles from Plaza Mayor de Lima).
Quinta de Amat is located in the historic center of Lima. It has a 24-hour reception and restaurant. Free WiFi is available.
Hotel Diamond Lima
Hotel in Lima’s Historic Center (0.3 miles from Plaza Mayor de Lima).
Located in Lima, 1 km from Las Nazarenas Church, Hotel Diamond Lima features a bar and offers hypoallergenic rooms and free Wi-Fi in all areas.
Kamana Hotel
Hotel in Lima’s Historic Center (0.3 miles from Plaza Mayor de Lima).
The Kamana Hotel is located in the historic center of Lima, just one block from the shops and restaurants of Calle de la Unión.
In the heart of Lima
Hotel in Lima´s Historic Center (0.4 miles from Plaza Mayor de Lima).
Located in Lima, near the Government Palace of Lima, Plaza San Martín and the Museum of the Santa Inquisicion, In the heart of Lima features free WiFi.
Or Hotels
Hotel in Lima´s Historic Center (0.6 miles from Plaza Mayor de Lima).
O Hotels offers accommodation with a terrace in Lima, 500 meters from Plaza San Martín. It also has a 24-hour reception and a restaurant.
Lima House Hostel
Hotel in Lima´s Historic Center (1.1 miles from Plaza Mayor de Lima).
Featuring a shared lounge, terrace and views of the city, Lima House Hostel is located in Lima, 1.7 km from San Martín Square. All rooms have a kitchen and a shared bathroom.
¿How to get to the Main Square of Lima?
¿How to get to the Main Square of Lima from Miraflores?
If you are in Miraflores, look for the whereabouts of the Metro-Buses Metropolitano (we recommend that you go to Ricardo Palma station), take line C towards Miraflores to downtown Lima, please get off at Jirón de la Unión Station and walk for about 5 minutes, until you reach the Plaza de Armas. To use this service, you need to pay 2.50 soles — Before entering the bus station, there is a control booth, where you can ask for more information.
Note: If you are in Miraflores, you can also join our free tour Lima starting from Miraflores, we will help you with all the details.
¿How to get to the Main Square of Lima from Barranco?
If you are in Barranco, look for the whereabouts of the Metro-Buses Metropolitano (we recommend that you go to the Bulevar station), take line C towards Barranco to downtown Lima, please get off at the Jirón de la Unión Station and walk for about 5 minutes, until you reach the Plaza de Armas; To use this service you need to pay 2.50 soles pp— Before entering the bus station, there is a control booth where you can ask for more information.
¿How to get to the Main Square of Lima from other districts?
If you are in a different place, take a taxi or uber, we suggest you haggle the price of the taxi fare, do not be afraid, haggling in Perú is part of our culture.
Regardless of where you are, an all inclusive vacation packages to Perú includes transportation to all the tourist destinations traveled.Regardless of where you are, a package to Peru includes transportation to all the tourist destinations traveled.
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