Larco Museum, Lima (must see)

The Larco Museum, situated in the Pueblo Libre District of Lima, is a privately owned institution dedicated to pre-Columbian art. It is housed within an 18th-century vice-royal building constructed atop a pre-Columbian pyramid dating back to the 7th century. The museum is renowned for its chronological galleries, which offer a comprehensive exploration of 4,000 years of pre-Columbian history in Peru. Of particular note is its collection of pre-Columbian erotic pottery.

In 1925, Rafael Larco Herrera obtained a collection of around 600 ceramic artifacts and archaeological pieces from his brother-in-law, Alfredo Hoyle. This marked the catalyst for his son, Rafael Larco Hoyle, to develop a passion for collecting. Larco Herrera eventually entrusted his son with the collection, and these pieces formed the nucleus of what would later become the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum.

In the same year, Larco Hoyle, inspired by his uncle Victor Larco Herrera, a co-founder of Lima's first museum, established a new museum in Lima to protect archaeological treasures unearthed by illegal excavators. He acquired 8,000 pieces from Roa, 6,000 from Carranza, and various smaller collections. Within a year, the museum opened on July 28, 1926, and today, it shares its collection with the Museo de Arte Precolombino in Cusco, Peru.

The Larco Museum showcases permanent exhibitions, including the Gold and Silver Gallery with stunning pre-Columbian jewelry. It features crowns, earrings, masks, and more crafted from gold and semi-precious stones. The museum also houses the world's largest collection of erotic ceramic artifacts. The Cultures Gallery provides a comprehensive look at Peru's pre-Columbian cultures through indigenous art from the Spanish conquest, organized by regions like North Coast, Center, South, and highlands.

Additional galleries in the museum encompass Lithic, Vault, Ceramics, Metals, Textiles, and Storage, enabling visitors to explore the entirety of the museum's classified archaeological objects. The Museum Gallery Shop offers a wide array of reproductions of pre-Columbian ceramics, metalwork, and textiles, meticulously crafted by skilled artisans from various regions of Peru. The museum meticulously assesses the quality of these reproductions, and they are available for purchase by visitors.

Why You Should Visit:
To look through literally thousands of excellent pieces of pre-colonial art in a gorgeous setting.
There are many public and private museums in Lima, but none as unique or pleasing as the Larco.
The outdoor gardens are very beautiful with lots of flowers, but the real highlight is the unusual erotic pottery exhibit.

Tip:
Don't miss the wonderful restaurant with great service and yet another gorgeous setting (book in advance and make sure to order a 'pisco sour' when you visit).
Having a tour guide walk you through the museum's many masterpieces, including the 'erotic' archaeological treasures, will enhance the experience.
Take 10 minutes to also look through the masses of undisplayed pieces in the rooms across the courtyard – many not represented in the main collection.