Lima is Peru's vibrant capital and largest city, stretching along the Pacific coast where ancient civilizations once flourished.
Lima's history stretches back over 5,000 years, from the coastal Lima Culture that built the Huaca Pucllana pyramid around 400 AD to the Inca Empire that dominated the region from the 15th century. Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the colonial city of Lima in 1535, establishing it as the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru - the most important Spanish colonial city in South America. Peru gained independence in 1821, and Lima grew rapidly through the 20th century to become one of Latin America's largest metropolises with over 10 million people.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Lima.
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1
Early Coastal Settlements
Hunter-gatherer communities settle along Lima's Pacific coast
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2
Lima Culture Emerges
The Lima Culture develops sophisticated adobe pyramid complexes
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3
Huaca Pucllana Built
The great ceremonial and administrative center is constructed in what is now Miraflores
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4
Wari Influence
The Wari Empire from Ayacucho exerts cultural influence over the Lima coast
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5
Inca Expansion
Sapa Inca Pachacútec begins expanding the Inca Empire into coastal Peru
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6
Pachacamac under Inca Rule
The Inca conquer the ancient oracle center of Pachacamac and build the Temple of the Sun
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7
Spanish Conquest Begins
Francisco Pizarro defeats the Inca at Cajamarca and begins the Spanish conquest
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8
Lima Founded
Pizarro founds Ciudad de los Reyes (Lima) on January 18; it becomes capital of the Viceroyalty
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9
Universidad de San Marcos Founded
The oldest university in the Americas is established in Lima
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10
Great Lima Earthquake
Massive earthquake and tsunami devastates Lima and Callao; the city is rebuilt
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11
Independence
General José de San Martín proclaims Peruvian independence on July 28 in Lima
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12
War of the Pacific
Chilean forces occupy Lima during this devastating regional conflict
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13
Urban Growth
Lima expands rapidly with migration from the Andes transforming the coastal city
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14
Return to Democracy
After the Fujimori era, Peru returns to democratic governance with Lima as the modern capital
Historical sites
Places where Lima's past comes alive.
Huaca Pucllana
A massive adobe pyramid of the Lima Culture dramatically illuminated at night, with an excellent on-site museum
Where: Calle General Borgoño cdra. 8, Miraflores
Admission: $4
Pachacamac
One of Peru's most important archaeological complexes, a sacred pilgrimage center used for over 1,200 years
Where: Km 31.5, Antigua Panamericana Sur, Lurín
Admission: $4
Historic Centre of Lima
UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial ensemble with the Government Palace, Cathedral, and San Francisco Convent
Where: Plaza Mayor, Centro Histórico
Admission: Free
Convento de San Francisco y Catacumbas
Baroque convent with 25,000 antique books and catacombs containing 70,000 human remains
Where: Jr. Ancash 471, Centro Histórico
Admission: $4
Real Felipe Fortress
One of the Americas' largest colonial military fortifications, built to protect Lima's port
Where: Plaza Independencia s/n, Callao
Admission: $3.25
Museums
Curated collections that tell Lima's story.
Museo Larco
South America's finest archaeological museum with 45,000 pre-Columbian artifacts in an 18th-century colonial mansion
Hours: Daily 9AM-10PM
Admission: $12
Museo de la Nación
National museum tracing Peru's complete history from Caral to the present
Hours: Tue-Sun 9AM-5PM
Admission: $2.70
MALI - Museo de Arte de Lima
Fine arts museum with 3,000 years of Peruvian art in a beautiful neoclassical palace
Hours: Tue-Sun 10AM-7PM
Admission: $8