LIMA'S HISTORICAL HOUSES

Casa Aliaga (House of Aliaga):
This mansion was built over the temple of the native chief Taulischusco, leading authority of the Rimac Valley during Inca times. The house belonged to Jeronimo de Aliaga who was given the land by Francisco Pizarro. Almost uniquely in both Peru and Latin America, the house continues to be occupied by descendants of the conquistador right to this day.

Casa de Pilatos (House of Pilate):
This house is one of the oldest in Lima. Built in 1590 by the jesuit priest Luis Portillo, it owes its name to its similarity with the Casa de Pilatos in Seville, Spain.

Casa Goyeneche or Rada (House of Goyeneche or Rada):
One of the first mansions in Lima to show the French influence in the mid 18th century, it still maintains its traditional structure today, most notably with its balconies and doorways, characteristic of that period.

Palacio de Torre Tagle (Torre Tagle Palace):
The most beautiful of Lima's 18th century mansions, It illustrates true 'Limeño' architectural uniqueness, harmoniously combines Andalusian, Moorish, Creole and Asian features. The Palace, now home to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has a stone facade and two carved balconies that are authentic "Limeño" architectural jewels.

The Government (or Presidential) Palace:
Situated on the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), it has elegant apartments and halls, in addition to invaluable paintings. It is also known as the Casa de Pizarro (House of Pizarro) due to the fact that it stands on the site the conquistador selected to govern from.

Court of the Holy Office or the Inquisition (Tribunal del Santo Oficio):
The Inquisition was established in Peru in 1569 to punish heresies and other offenses against the Catholic religion amongst Europeans, but not amongst indian new converts. The building has an imposing neoclassical portico and exquisite ceilings carved in wood in its halls, the finest extant in Lima.

SQUARES AND PARKS IN LIMA

Plaza Mayor (Main Square):
Lima's Plaza Mayor is the "heart" of the city, lively and Creole to the core, it started to beat the very day the city was founded. More beautiful than ever after its recent renovation, its bronze fountain stands out; with its statue of the Angel of Fame holding a clarion in its left hand and its right a flag bearing the coat of arms of Lima and the Crown.

Plaza San Martin (San Martin's Square):
This square was inaugurated in 1921 on the Centennial of the independence of Peru. The monument in honor of General José de San Martín, Argentine Liberator of Peru, was created by the famous Catalan sculptor, don Mariano Benlluire. The upper part shows San Martín ascending the Andes on horseback. The figure is supported by a granite pedestal, which has the shape of a truncated pyramid with a stepped base.

Parque Universitario (University Park):
Dating from 1870, the year the city's colonial walls were demolished and 20,000 thousand square meters were designated for a small square. The German community of Peru arranged for the construction of a 30-meter high tower clock which chimes the music of the National Anthem every day at noon, to celebrate Peru's Independence Centennial.

Pantanos de Villa (Villa Swamps):
An Ecological Park in Chorrillos, and only 30 minutes from downtown Lima. Its swamps or "humedales" (humid lands) cover more than 2,000 hectares and are a refuge for migrating birds.

LIMA CITY AT NIGHT

Lima nights had one name: Barranco, a traditional district with an old-fashioned atmosphere full of romance, which used to be a gathering point for Lima's bohemians.

In this usually calm part of the city, at nightfall that peace vanishes: Barranco changes after sunset. Young people take the discos, bars, restaurants, pubs, casinos and pinball halls as a storm. It attracts the young and noisy.

The night can also be enjoyed in many other districts all over Lima, such as San Isidro and Miraflores, where there is a great variety of options. As well as casinos, discos, bars, and pubs there are Peñas Criollas (live Afroperuvian music and dancing) where the 'jarana' (party) is at the rhythm of the guitar and the "cajón" (traditional percussion box), with waltzes and polkas, in the style of traditional Lima.

There are many reasons for chasing sleep away in Lima, as the "limeño" night is both seductive and tempting.