San Francisco

This is by far the most visited place in Lima, this yellow-and-white 17th-century complex has witnessed most of Lima's historical episodes and survived a few massive earthquakes. The old Convent of Saint Francis houses a fine religious art museum that preserves some master pieces by Francisco Zurbar�n and other famed Spanish artists. There is a big, beautiful church built in the Colonial Baroque style and Moorish-style carved ceilings; the aforementioned museum; and the fascinating catacombs, where some 75,000 bodies lie. Tickets are on sale at the door, and you will have to wait a little for a guided tour in English.