The location of Lima Cathedral is in front of the Plaza Mayor or Main Square in Lima. Lima Cathedral is dedicates this to St. John, The Apostle and Evangelist. The original church starts construction in 1535 and takes three years to finish.
Adobe bricks are the materials when building the original Church. However, several remodeling and renovations as time goes by. Due to earthquake destructions, they do restorations on some portions of Lima Cathedral. Later on, after several rebuilding and restorations, the Lima Cathedral is what it is now; a grand colonial building with a very rich history to it.
The Cathedral is also the home to the relics of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro brings the spread of Catholicism in Peru. The location of the tomb of Pizarro is in the rightmost portion of the Cathedral.
The Cathedral is also open for tourist on the weekdays and close in the afternoon of Saturday until Sunday morning. There is a regular mass celebration here on the weekends.
To describe the inside of the church, it has a very nice architectural design. Its high ceilings are in gold and sky blue, such a wonderful structure coupled with the lighting which makes it more sophisticated. The altar is more elegant with the lavish finishes of gold structures. On each side also are the seats of the Bishops and Priests which are all in teak wood. In addition to its luxurious design were the marble floors. This is truly an impressive creation.
My guide also takes me to one side of the church wherein they showcase the materials they use in building the church. Surprisingly, I am thinking that it is a combination of huge rocks and concrete and it’s not. You will find the bamboo as one of the materials used in building the Church. As per my guide, Peru is in an earthquake zone; they must be able to utilized building materials that blend with earthquake. With the use of the bamboo, the building will just sway in according to the movement of the ground.
As she told me that the first churches built were destroyed by earthquake, when in fact, if I am not mistaken, the Cathedral we saw now have gone to series of renovations and rebuilding. I think it was destroyed more than three times already.
I am totally impressed with the Cathedral. I am thankful that I got a chance to visit this magnificent building coupled with its rich culture and history.
Been here: August 11, 2015
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