Lima, Day Two - not just "some cathedral" ....

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A beautiful day as we traveled to the center of Lima today where we visited the main square or the Plaza de Armas.  Just off the square, we toured the oldest colonial home (mansion) in Lima called the Casa de Aliaga, and maybe all of South America.  It has been in the Aliaga family for over 7 generations.  It was magnificent.  It is located just off the square, and across from the Government Palace, which is heavily guarded.

Vi in the beautiful Plaza de Armas

We toured the Casa de Aliaga first, and saw some beautiful furniture and decor.  Mom would have loved it!  Looked like something out of Southern Accents!  It had an open air atrium in the center of the house, where a lush garden grew with a very old tree in the center.  Beautiful!

Latin America Accents!

Across the square, we visited the San Francisco Cathedral & Monastery.  It is probably the most important religious monument in Lima, and has the most beautiful Colonial architecture in Latin America  You couldn't take pictures inside, but it was resplendent with paintings, sculptures, crucifixes, and yes, bones .... many were visible through grates in the floors!

San Francisco Cathedral

The next stop was the Gold Museum (Museo Oro del Peru) which is privately owned by one guy, Muhica Gallo (no kin to Ernest & Julio Gallo that I know of!).  This man collected armor, firearms, swords, military uniforms, all belonging to important figures throughout history, and yes, GOLD!

Some of the most familiar pieces of gold from ancient Peru are housed here (think of your 6th grade history book !) ... gold and non-gold artifacts.  Take a look below .... incredible ....




Oh, and Leroy made some friends while we were there, too...


Adios from Lima .... tomorrow is Arica, Chile!


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