Lima General Facts
Lima Highlights
THE CATHEDRAL OF LIMA
The Basilica Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima and Primate of Peru (Spanish: Basílica Catedral Metropolitana de Lima y Primada del Perú), otherwise Lima Metropolitan Cathedral (Spanish: Catedral de Lima), is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the Plaza Mayor of downtown Lima, Peru. This third and current Cathedral of Lima was built between 1602 and 1797. It is dedicated to St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.
The Basilica Cathedral of Lima occupies the east side of the Plaza Mayor of Lima, on Calle Gradas de la Catedral, block 2 of the current Jirón Augusto Wiese (former Jirón Carabaya).
The façade of the Cathedral of Lima is in the Renaissance style with Plateresque decorations. Its tall towers with slate spires are Neoclassical with stylistic influences from El Escorial School and Northern Europe.
It has three doors, as in most cathedrals. The main one (the one in the center) is called Puerta del Perdón, the right side is called Puerta de la Epístola and the left side is called Puerta del Evangelio.
There are also two side doors, one that leads to the Calle de Judíos (right side) and another that leads to the Patio de los Naranjos (inner courtyard attached to the cathedral). In the back of the cathedral (Calle de Santa Apolonia) there are 2 other portals: Santa Apolonia and San Cristóbal.
On the main façade you can see statues of the Apostles, and in the central niche, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Currently, in the upper part you can see the coat of arms of Peru, in the place where the coat of arms of the city of Lima was originally located together with the phrase Plus Ultra.
Next to the cathedral are the Church of the Sanctuary (one of the oldest in Lima) and the Archbishop's Palace, seat of the ecclesiastical government of Lima.
It has three doors, as in most cathedrals. The main one (the one in the center) is called Puerta del Perdón, the right side is called Puerta de la Epístola and the left side is called Puerta del Evangelio.
There are also two side doors, one that leads to the Calle de Judíos (right side) and another that leads to the Patio de los Naranjos (inner courtyard attached to the cathedral). In the back of the cathedral (Calle de Santa Apolonia) there are 2 other portals: Santa Apolonia and San Cristóbal.
On the main façade you can see statues of the Apostles, and in the central niche, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Currently, in the upper part you can see the coat of arms of Peru, in the place where the coat of arms of the city of Lima was originally located together with the phrase Plus Ultra.
Next to the cathedral are the Church of the Sanctuary (one of the oldest in Lima) and the Archbishop's Palace, seat of the ecclesiastical government of Lima.
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