Plaza San Martin is defined by its sweeping semicircular buildings that curve toward the center of the space. It was built to commemorate the centennial of Peruvian independence, officially opening in nineteen twenty-one. The bronze statue…
Jirón de la Unión Walk
We walk the historic pedestrian backbone of central Lima, connecting the grand Republican-era Plaza San Martín to the colonial heart of Plaza Mayor with stops at historic churches, Art Nouveau landmarks, and classic taverns along the way.
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1. San Martin Square
2. Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima
The Gran Hotel Bolivar commands the corner of Plaza San Martin with its heavy stone facade and a grand, arched entrance. Built in nineteen twenty-four to celebrate the centennial of the Battle of Ayacucho, the hotel hosted diplomats, movie…
3. Palais Concert
The Palais Concert features a rounded corner facade topped by a distinct, ornate cupola that dominates the intersection of Jiron de la Union and Emancipacion. Inaugurated in nineteen thirteen, this building served as a fashionable cafe and…
4. Church of La Merced
The Churrigueresque facade of the Church of La Merced is carved from dark stone, crowded with saints and angels that seem to spill out of the wall. This church arrived with the Spanish conquest in fifteen thirty-four. When the devastating…
5. Casa O'Higgins - PUCP
The Casa O'Higgins features a wide, pale yellow facade and a heavy, carved wooden balcony that overhangs the sidewalk on Jirón de la Unión. This colonial house served as the residence of Bernardo O'Higgins, the man who led Chile to…
6. Casa Courret
The facade of Casa Courret wears a heavy, bronze-colored metal skin, stamped with ornate floral patterns and geometric reliefs that catch the light differently than the surrounding masonry. Built in nineteen hundred and six for a French…
7. Union Club
The Union Club building on the corner of the Plaza de Armas displays an ornate, dark green balcony that runs along its entire second floor. Established in eighteen sixty-eight, this private institution brought together Peru’s political and…
8. Lima Main Square
The Plaza Mayor in Lima centers on a bronze fountain cast in sixteen fifty-one, a heavy, tiered structure that has stood through earthquakes and revolutions. Francisco Pizarro laid out this square in fifteen thirty-five, marking the spot…
9. RESTAURANTE CORDANO
Restaurante Cordano features a faded, painted sign above the corner entrance and large, shuttered windows that face the side street. Founded in nineteen oh five by brothers Antonio and Luis Cordano, it became a frequent haunt for Peruvian…