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Plaza de Armas

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mays9charles
mays9charles
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Plaza de Armas

  • June 30, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Plaza de Armas

The Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas, is the birthplace of the city of Lima, as well as the core of the central city. It is probably the grandest square I have seen in South America. The square was originally surrounded by small shops and businesses. It is located in the historic centre and today is surrounded by the Government Palace, Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Building, and the Palace of the Union.

There is a water fountain in the square which immediately draws the eye. The first fountain built on the plaza was constructed by the viceroy Francisco de Toledo and was inaugurated in 1578. It consisted of a baluster and an elevated bowl, and it had eight pipes through which water fell into the bowl on the next level. A ball at the top of the fountain dispersed water back onto the lower levels. The seal of the city was inscribed on this ball. The original fountain was replaced in 1651. This fountain remains as the centerpiece of the plaza to this day.

The Plaza has had a checkered and somewhat gruesome history. During the colonial era, the plaza served as a market, bull fighting ring, and the city gallows. The plaza also became home to the Auto de fe in which the inquisition occurred. Fortunately, today all is peaceful and the Plaza is used by the local population and visitors as a sightseeing location, a resting place, an entertainment site and a place to be seen and to see others.

In one corner of the plaza, opposite the cathedral, there is an impressive statue of Francisco Pizarro on horseback - though, apparently, he was actually a mediocre horseman. I was told the statue once sat in the center of the plaza, but the clergy apparently took a dim view of the horse's rear end facing the cathedral, so the statue was moved to its present position. There is an identical statue in Pizarro's hometown of Trujillo, Spain.

The city hall is another building on the square which is well-worth a look. Although it resembles a colonial-era building it was actually constructed in 1944. There is something to see both outside and inside. During office hours it is worth stepping inside to see the stained-glass windows above the marble staircase. Outside there is a lovely pedestrian walkway called the Pasco Los Escribanos running beside the building. Here you will find several restaurants and the tourist-information office.

After years of decline, the safety in the central city has dramatically improved recently but local advice is that it is still problematical at night. Good advice is to head back to your accommodation late afternoon as you see the locals heading home.

From journal Around Lima's Main Square

Plaza de Armas

  • May 1, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by mays9charles from Fort Worth, Texas
Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas in downtown Lima was planned by Pizzaro in 1535. It consists of the Presidential Palace, The Cathedral, and City Hall.

The Presidential Palace is not open to the public and security around the plaza is quite heavy. It is possible to take photos of the guards and the palace, but ask first. The Catherdal was begun in 1746 after the first one was destroyed by an earthquake. On the right hand side as you enter, you'll see the remains of Pizzaro. The carved choir stalls were a gift of Charles V to the first cathedral of Peru. The Museum of religious art inside the cathedral is also open to the public. There are many beautiful paintings from the 16th and 17th century there.

There is an admissions charge and extra charge for cameras.

From journal ADVENTURES IN PERU

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