Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, Lima (must see)

The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco is a grand piece of architecture and a place of immense religious importance in Lima, much popular with foreigners and locals alike. Tourists usually get awestruck when they see the dome, the fascinating vault which has a half-spherical shape intricately carved in cedar. Complete with a church, the convent makes up the Lima Historic Center and was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1991. Within the complex are also the catacombs and the library.

Book lovers are in for an amazing experience at the huge library that contains nearly 25,000 tomes, including incunabulums and ancient manuscripts dating back to the 15th century. A descent into the catacombs will surely motivate the daring ones, enabling them to feel like the heroes of adventure movies. Each year, during the Saint Jude festival, a procession of forty people carry a special silver stand that weights one and a half tonnes. Combined with the library, the church and the catacombs, this place is bound to give you a truly fabulous experience.

Tip:
The church inside the complex is free to tour around, but it is worth paying a little extra to go on the catacombs tour. There is an English and Spanish tour offered. You walk through the catacombs plus take a guided tour of the convent. Very interesting!