The Minor Basilica of Saint Francis of Jesus the Great is part of one of the most important religious complexes in the Historic Center of Lima. The complex includes the basilica, the convent, the museum, and the well-known burial crypts or catacombs.
Its architecture, cloisters, altarpieces, paintings, and library provide insight into different aspects of the religious, artistic, and social life of viceregal Lima. The convent continues to house a religious community and belongs to the Franciscan Province of the Twelve Apostles of Peru.
The San Francisco complex is part of the Historic Center of Lima, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. In 1991, the inscription was expanded to include a larger area of the historic center.
The Franciscan Order was one of the first religious communities to settle in Lima after the Spanish founding of the city in 1535. After several disputes over land ownership, the Convent of Saint Francis of Jesus the Great was formally established in 1546.
The first buildings were expanded and replaced during the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1656, an earthquake severely damaged the church. The reconstruction was entrusted to the Portuguese architect Constantino de Vasconcelos and continued by other master builders.
The new church was inaugurated in 1672 and consecrated in 1673. During the following centuries, it suffered further damage, restorations, and alterations because of earthquakes and changes in the Historic Center of Lima.
The monumental complex is also connected with the churches of Our Lady of Solitude and El Milagro, which stand beside the convent and are historically linked to the Franciscan complex.
The church and the San Francisco Convent Museum and Catacombs are located in Plazuela de San Francisco, at the intersection of Jirón Áncash and Jirón Lampa, within the Historic Center of Lima.
Reference address: Plazuela de San Francisco, Jirón Áncash and Jirón Lampa, Cercado de Lima.
The area is close to the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the House of Peruvian Literature, and Parque de la Muralla.
From the Plaza Mayor, you can walk along Jirón Áncash toward Jirón Lampa. The complex is easy to recognize by its large square, the basilica’s yellow façade, and its two towers.
You can also arrive by taxi or ride-hailing app by entering “Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas” as your destination. Because of traffic restrictions and public events in the Historic Center, the final section of the journey may need to be completed on foot.
The basilica features a façade flanked by two towers and a richly decorated central entrance. The building is one of the most representative examples of the religious architecture developed in Lima during the 17th century.
Inside, visitors can see altarpieces, paintings, sculptures, and decorative elements from different periods. As a result, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical features can be observed, reflecting the transformations carried out between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Although the basilica is especially notable for its Baroque architecture, it also preserves Rococo and Neoclassical altarpieces and details added in later periods.
The museum provides access to several convent spaces that are not part of an ordinary visit to the church. The tour includes cloisters, rooms of religious art, the former refectory, the library, and the burial crypts.
The visit is usually guided and lasts approximately one hour. Check with the museum about the availability of tours in Spanish and English before your visit.
The so-called catacombs are a series of crypts, vaults, and passageways located beneath sections of the church. During the viceregal period, they were used as burial places for members of religious communities, confraternities, and brotherhoods.
Their funerary use continued until the beginning of the 19th century, when the authorities began to concentrate burials in cemeteries located outside churches and the most densely populated parts of the city.
The visitor route shows only part of the galleries. Visitors must remain on the designated paths and follow the guide’s instructions.
The library preserves a valuable collection assembled by the Franciscan community over several centuries. Its holdings are said to include religious chronicles, manuscripts, incunabula, Bibles, atlases, old dictionaries, and printed editions dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
The books are not available for direct consultation by visitors. During the tour, visitors can view the room from the permitted area.
The main cloister consists of arched galleries arranged around a central courtyard. Its walls preserve tiles, paintings, and decorations that reflect the convent’s artistic transformation throughout the viceregal period.
The tiles were not merely decorative: they also protected the lower sections of the walls from moisture and made them easier to clean.
The refectory was the dining hall of the religious community. It preserves a series of canvases depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, the apostles, and Saint Paul.
At the far end of the refectory is a 17th-century painting of the Last Supper, known for including foods and elements associated with the American context. The work is known for incorporating foods and elements related to the American context.
The basilica preserves altarpieces created and modified over different centuries. Some feature Baroque and gilded ornamentation, while others reflect Rococo or Neoclassical renovations.
One of the most visited religious spaces is the altar dedicated to Saint Jude Thaddeus. The altar dedicated to Saint Jude Thaddeus is one of the main centers of devotion inside the basilica. To learn the dates of its celebrations, consult the convent’s religious calendar.
The altarpiece stands out for its decorative details and metal coverings, which enhance its presence inside the basilica.
The museum is open every day, including public holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Before visiting, confirm the schedule through the official channels, as it may change because of religious celebrations or conservation work.
Allow between one hour and one and a half hours to complete the tour without rushing. The visit is guided and follows an established route through the museum spaces.
The convent and basilica continue to be religious spaces. Visitors should keep their phones on silent, speak quietly, and avoid interrupting ceremonies.
Ask the staff before taking photographs. Some rooms and artworks may have restrictions to protect paintings, documents, and historic spaces.
The catacombs include stairs and narrow passageways. Visitors with reduced mobility or those who prefer to avoid enclosed spaces should check the access conditions before booking a visit. People with reduced mobility or difficulty remaining in enclosed spaces should ask about the access conditions in advance.
How long does the visit take?
The museum states that the guided tour lasts approximately one hour. It is advisable to allow between 60 and 90 minutes, especially when there are large groups.
Can the museum be visited without a guide?
Visits to the museum rooms and catacombs normally take place with a guide. The service is available in Spanish and English.
Are the basilica and museum the same?
No. The basilica is the main place of worship, while the museum manages a visitor route through sections of the convent, the library, the refectory, the cloisters, and the catacombs.
Can it be visited every day?
The museum is usually open every day, including public holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Nevertheless, it is advisable to confirm the schedule before your visit.
Is San Francisco a World Heritage Site?
The San Francisco convent complex was inscribed by UNESCO in 1988. Since the expansion made in 1991, it has formed part of the property known as the Historic Center of Lima.
Who manages the convent?
The convent belongs to the Franciscan Province of the Twelve Apostles of Peru and continues to house a community of the Order of Friars Minor.
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