Founded in 1535 upon the remains of pre-Inca cultures, this metropolis of almost eight million inhabitants has many faces. In its recently-restored historic centre, the patios of colonial and republican era mansions seek refuge behind imposing facades, severe wooden porticos and Moorish-style balconies. The suburb of Miraflores offers first class hotels and restaurants, whilst the small bars and cafes of Barranco - a refuge of artists and poets - are home to the bohemian and intellectual life of the city. The city's many museums, galleries and private collections house exhibitions of the nation's incomparable cultural heritage, from its pre-Inca origins to the present day. In the summer months, the people of Lima take a break from noisy urban life along the city's extensive chain of beaches. Life in Lima has always been inextricably linked with the sea, a fact reflected in its varied cuisine, in which seafood plays an important role in the cooking of all the communities of this cosmopolitan city.
Lima was founded on January 18th 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, but before it became the capital of the vice-regency of Peru Lima was the site of an important pre-Hispanic religious complex. The city of Lima reached its height during the colonial period, its heyday being the 18th century. Great mansions and palaces were built as the city grew to become the richest in all the Spanish colonies. During the independence period, Lima provided the nation with illustrious patriots who lent their talents and spilled their blood in the name of the republic. The Lima coast is cloudy for much of the year, and the city overcast. The sun emerges towards the end of spring, and the rise in temperature coincides with the rise in the level of the rivers as water rushes down from the highlands. During the summer months the weather is hot and humid.
Today Lima, like any other great metropolis, offers the traveller a wide variety of attractions. Its 500 years of history have left behind a rich legacy, as well as beautiful beaches, a varied cuisine and diverse entertainments - all that the visitor could wish for. In Lima the creole culture rules. There is also great religious faith, which reaches its fullest expression in the world famous procession of the Lord of the Miracles in October. There is also a great bullfighting tradition in Lima, with the season beginning in October, and other fiestas such as Santa Rosa of Lima, which is held every August. The city of Lima has many attractions, such as the Gold Museum, the ruins of Pachacamác and Puruchuco, the churches of San Francisco and La Merced, and colonial palaces and mansions like Torre Tagle.
