Saint Francis Monastery and Catacombs
The Saint Francis Monastery, built in 1674, is one of Latin America's finest examples of colonial Baroque architecture and part of Lima's Historic Center UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is famous for its distinctive yellow facade, stunning Andalusian blue tilework, and breathtaking Moorish-decorated wooden ceiling made from Nicaraguan cedar. The monastery features a remarkable library containing over 25,000 antique books, including texts from the 15th century. The most famous part is the underground catacombs containing the remains of over 25,000 people arranged in striking architectural patterns - they served as Lima's colonial cemetery until 1808. Visits are mandatory guided tours (available in Spanish and English) lasting about one hour, exploring the monastery, library, catacombs, and main church.