Church and Convent of Saint Francis (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco)

A guided tour takes you through the history and architecture of the complex and into the underground passages lined with the bones of more than 25,000 Lima citizens. Tours showcase skulls and thigh bones arranged in decorative patterns, in addition to the library of antique books, cloister, museum of religious paintings and artifacts, carved choir stalls, and Moorish-style domed church. Most walking tours of Lima’s city center include a visit to the complex.

• There is a small fee for tours of the church and catacombs, which last about 40 minutes and are offered in English.

• If you don’t want a tour, you can just walk in and see the church without paying.

• Most of the complex is not wheelchair accessible.

The Church and Convent of San Francisco is located two blocks northeast of the Plaza de Mayor de Lima and less than a 5-minutes' walk from the Desamparados railway station. A number of tourist attractions are within a short walking distance, including the Basilica Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima and the Plaza San Martin.

The complex is open to visitors from early morning until the evening, seven days a week. Expect to spend around one hour exploring the church, convent, and catacombs. Some walking tours of Lima’s city center take place after dark, providing a more atmospheric experience of the catacombs.

The Historic Center of Lima was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988 due to its high concentration of historic monuments constructed in the time of Spanish rule. As well as the Church and Convent of San Francisco, the area includes the Archbishop's Palace, Cathedral of Lima, Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo, and Palace of Torre Tagle.