Discover the effect of religion on Spain's efforts to colonize the Americas during this tour of Lima's most important churches and convents.
Depart the pier for the drive past the town center and across the river to the Convento de Los Descalzos. Built in 1592 at the foot of San Cristobal Hill, the convent was founded at the end of the 16th century by Father Andres Corso as a spiritual retreat. Upon arrival, you will take a guided tour of the church. Along the way, you will see the Ayacuchan cloister, which features paintings in the form of an altarpiece representing the Stations of the Cross, and the vestibule, which displays sculptures of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Claire. You will also view the private courtyard, which still retains its original flooring, and the private chapel.
From here, you will proceed for a visit to the Santo Domingo Convent, the oldest church and convent in Lima. The foundation of the city of Santo Domingo was conceived by a friar named Tomas de San Martin, who later served as the Preceptor Prior of the Dominican Order. As in all convents located between the jirones of Lima and Camana, Santo Domingo is sort of a city within a city, and is comprised of a succession of cloisters and yards surrounded by service areas and communal rooms. Both Saint Rose and Saint Martin de Porres are buried in Lima, as is the Spanish Saint San Juan Masias. Construction of the Santo Domingo Convent began in 1540, but it was later modernized into its present neo-classical style in the 18th century. In 1730, the greater, or general, hall was built - a work of art that later became a part of the city's more unified ornamental groups. During your tour of the convent, you will view its decorative walls complemented by beautiful carved furniture, and polychromes of a series of Cusco School paintings portraying the life of Santo Tomas de Aquino.
Lastly, you will also visit the Santa Rosa convent which was built in the XVII and XVIII centuries at the place in which Santa Rosa de Lima lived. Canonized by Pope Clemente X in 1671, she is also called the Landlady of Lima, America, Philipines and Oriental India. In the convent's garden you'll find the hermitage that Santa Rosa built with the help of her brother and the well where she threw the key of the chain that was around her waist in a sign of penance. All the devoted parishioners who visit this well write their wishes on a piece of paper and then throw them into the well, believing many miracles are attributed to Santa Rosa and the well.
Following your tour, you will be transferred back to the pier and ship.