The Basilica Cathedral of Lima, otherwise Lima Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the Plaza Mayor of downtown Lima, Peru. Construction began in 1535 and completed in 1649. It is dedicated to St John, Apostle and Evangelist.
Description
In keeping with the majority of cathedrals the front facade has three large doorways. The main or central gateway is called the Portada del Perdón or the "door of forgiveness". Above the doorway is the Peruvian seal and the phrase "Plus Ultra" rather than Lima's coat-of-arms. The two high towers with spire of slate, are neoclassical with stylistic influences of the school "El Escorial" and of northern Europe. There are 14 side chapels, one of which opens on to Calle de Judíos and another on to the Patio de los Naranjos. At the rear are two more entrances: Santa Apolonia and San Cristóbal. Set on the front facade are sculptures of the Apostles and in the middle, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Adjoining the Cathedral are the Parroquia del Sagrario and the Archbishop's Palace. Inside, along the side aisles, are a sequence of large paintings of the Via Crucis, "Way of the Cross." Pope John Paul II visited this cathedral on two occasions, in 1985 and 1988. This is commemorated with signs at the entrance. In the left aisle, the first chapel holds the ancient baptistery. Here can be seen a beautiful image of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza, who presides over the events during Cuaresm and Holy Week. During a recent restoration, ancient pictures were found in this chapel that have been restored and are displayed again for the public. The next chapel is Capilla de la Sagrada Familia, featuring figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Basilica Cathedral of Lima is also home to the tomb of Francisco Pizarro
January 18, 1535: The conquistador Francisco Pizarro laid the first stone, carrying on his shoulders the first log used in the construction of the Cathedral. The chosen location was between the Main Plaza and the Street of the Jews.
1538: The construction of the first church was completed. It was mainly built of adobe, and was relatively primitive, small and rustic.
March 11, 1540: The church was officially inaugurated by Francisco Pizarro.
1542: The cathedral underwent several improvements and minor extensions, paid for by García de Salcedo.
September 17, 1543: Bishop Jerónimo de Loayza signed the "Lima Cathedral Construction Act" and selected its council.
February 12, 1546: The church was upgraded to a Metropolitan Church, and "The Kings" became an Archdiocese. This was done by the papal bull Super Universa Orbis of Pope Paul III.
1551: Inauguration of the second Cathedral by Archbishop Jerónimo de Loayza.
1564: Archbishop Jerónimo de Loayza assigned the task of redesigning the Cathedral to Alonso Beltrán, with instructions to base his design on the Cathedral of Seville in Spain.
1572: Work on the third Cathedral began with the demolition of the adobe walls of the second cathedral, but the project was quickly abandoned because of the high cost.
