San Francisco Monastery is a religious complex located in the historic center of Lima, Peru. Built in the 16th century by Franciscan friars, the monastery is one of the city’s most important and impressive sites.The monastery is most famous for its catacombs, which house the bones of thousands of people. During the Spanish colonial era and during the period of the Republic of Peru, the catacombs were used as a cemetery and housed the remains of commoners and nobles.The entrance to the catacombs is through a stone staircase that leads to an underground tunnel. Here one can admire the bones arranged in a decorative manner, forming pyramids and other motifs. The catacomb system is said to have been built on a large Inca cemetery whose grounds had been turned into a battlefield during the Spanish conquest.The monastery also houses a library, which holds an extensive collection of ancient books and manuscripts. Among the library’s treasures is the first printed dictionary of Quechua, the language of the Incas.The monastery church was built in 1672 and is famous for its silver altars and frescoed dome. During renovations of the church, frescoes were discovered hidden under layers of paint, which have now been restored and are visible to visitors.But the San Francisco Monastery also has a curious history related to its bell tower. In 1655, a great storm hit the city of Lima and destroyed most of the church steeples. Only the bell tower of the San Francisco Monastery withstood the fury of the storm. This event was considered a miracle and the bell tower became a place of pilgrimage for many worshippers.In addition, the San Francisco Monastery was a place of great importance in the political and social life of Peru. In 1821, the Argentine general San Martín, who was leading the fight for Peru’s independence, used the monastery’s library as his headquarters in preparation for the Battle of Lima against Spanish troops.The Monastery of San Francisco is one of the most striking and interesting places in Lima. Its history and legends are closely linked to the history of Peru and its struggle for independence. If you are in Lima, do not miss the opportunity to visit this fascinating place.
