The Basilica Cathedral of Lima is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the Main Plaza of downtown Lima, Peru. It started its construction in 1535. It has been transformed many times, but it still conserves its colonial composition and facade. From outside, there are 3 doors on the front facade, like any other cathedral. The main facade (the middle one) is called Portada del Perdón. There, at the top is inscribed the Peruvian seal, instead of Lima's coat-of-arms and the phrase "Plus Ultra".There are also 14 lateral doors; one of them is in front of Calle de Judíos (Jewish street) and the second one next to Patio de los Naranjos (Orange tree yard, connected to the Cathedral). At the back there are 2 more doors: Santa Apolonia and San Cristóbal. At the front facade are sculptures of the Apostles and in the middle, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Next to the Cathedral are the Parroquia del Sagrario (one of the oldest ones in Lima) and the Archbishop's Palace.
Inside, along the lateral salons you can see big pictures of the Via Crucis. John Paul II visited this church twice (1985 and 1988). This is commemorated with signs at the entrance.
At the left salon we can see, in the first chapel, the ancient baptistery. There you can see a beautiful image of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza, who presides over the events during Cuaresm and Holy Week. During a recent restoration, ancient pictures were found in this chapel that are now able to be seen by the public.
The next chapel is Capilla de la Sagrada Familia (chapel of the Holy Family), featuring figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.