Goshen students had one of their most memorable days in Lima – called the City of Kings by its founder, Francisco Pizarro – by touring the historic downtown district. Their day was accented by visits to two historic churches and an insider’s tour of the Palacio de Gobierno – the home of Peru’s president.
The day began with a bus trip from the Miraflores district to the Parque de la Muralla (Park of the Wall), which is beside the Rimac River. The park features an original section of the defensive wall that once surrounded the central city and was built between 1684 and 1687. The park also is the site of a statue depicting a conquistador said to be Francisco Pizarro. The 1934 statue used to be in Lima’s central plaza, but was moved to the less prominent park location because of widespread misgivings about Pizarro, especially his subjugation of native people.
This statue depicting a conquistador said to be Francisco Pizzaro is located in La Muralla Park, a short distance from remnants of 17th century walls of the city.
Students next visited at the Plaza Mayor, formerly known as the Plaza de Armas, in the heart of Lima’s historic center. On this spot Francisco Pizarro founded Lima in 1535. Lima’s most important buildings surround the plaza – the Government Palace (home of Peru’s president), the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace (Lima’s City Hall) and the Union Club, a business and social club founded in 1868.
The first interior tour of the day was of the Cathedral of Lima, constructed in 1758, after an earthquake destroyed the earlier structure. Pizarro’s tomb is located inside the cathedral. The bones of the conqueror of the Inca Empire were positively identified through forensic scientists in 1977. A graphic illustration shows the fatal wounds that Pizarro suffered when he was slain by Spanish rivals – wounds that aided in identification of his remains. More significantly, the cathedral has magnificent chapels and priceless collections of gold, silver and paintings. And the main altar is nothing short of spectacular.
Lauren, Landon, Jacob, Joshua, Rudy, Alan and Becca take in the magnificence of the Cathedral of Lima. Behind them is the main altar, which is flanked by elaborately carved choir stalls.
For the first time since 2006, GC students got an insiders’ tour of the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), the seat of the executive branch and home to Peru’s president. Besides touring the great halls of the palace, students visited narrow service passageways and got to witness the elaborate noon-hour changing of the guard ceremony from a balcony inside the palace – a first for Goshen students.
The army unit of dragoons responsible for guarding the palace is called the Calvary Regiment, Guard of the President of the Republic of Perú. The changing of the guard ceremony began with a brief concert by the regiment’s excellent band, whose members actually ride on horseback in parades while playing music. Dual 24-member units slowly emerged from opposite entrances of the palace. Taking high-kicking steps, the units converged in the center and then exchanged flags, signaling that one unit had relieved the other of guard duties.
Landon, Rudy, Jacob, Alan, Becca, Joshua and Lauren were delighted to get a VIP view of the changing of the guard at the Government Palace.
For lunch, students enjoyed a traditional Peruvian two-course almuerzo, or lunch, at La Merced, a traditional downtown restaurant. La Merced is housed in what were once offices for the adjacent La Merced Church and features a wood-carved ceiling and walls. Students, however, seemed more focused on ordering their meals in Spanish – and then enjoying the diverse and tasty soups, salads and main courses.
After lunch, students were treated to a tour of the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, which was constructed completed at the end of the 16th century after five decades of construction. The convent houses the remains of Peru’s Catholic saints – San Martin de Porres, San Juan Macias and Santa Rosa de Lima.
During the visit, students saw tranquil patios, beautiful interior walls decorated with 17th century Spanish tiles and a library said to house 25,000 books. It was at Santo Domingo that the first Peruvian university – the University of San Marcos – was founded in 1551. Students also enjoyed viewing two-row choir stalls with carvings representing saints and other biblical characters and an impressive view of the central nave of the Basilica of the Rosary.
The highlight of the tour was an arduous climb to the top of the convent’s tower. Along the way, students examined giant bells inside the tower. Once on top of the tower, students were treated to panoramic views of Lima on a misty, gray afternoon.
Alan takes in the spectacular views from the tower at the Convent of Santo Domingo
The tour of downtown Lima ended with a quick snack, a bus ride back to Miraflores and a joyful meeting with new host parents.
Celia Vasquez, Goshen College’s study coordinator in Peru, gives students an overview of her beloved city.Rising like a volcano on a misty morning, the Cerro San Cristóbal is one of Lima’s most significant landmarks. Northeast of downtown Lima, the hill is home to an impoverished community perched precariously on its slopes. Considered a sacred “apu,” or spirit by the Incans, it was given its present name by Francisco Pizarro in 1535.Remnants of the defensive wall, erected in the 1680s, that once surrounded colonial Lima.The Estación de Desamparados is the beautiful former railway station beside the presidential palace. Built in 1912, it features a beautiful stained glass skylight and a museum dedicated to Mario Vargas Llosa, arguably Peru’s most famous author.The beautiful stained glass skylight is in the former Desamparados railway station, which now serves as museum dedicated to Peruvian writers.Students gather outside the Basilica Cathedral of Lima, which is located in the Plaza Mayor in downtown Lima. Construction of the cathedral began in 1535 under the direction of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro.The tomb of Francisco Pizarro in the Cathedral of Lima includes this mural. It depicts an incident during which Pizarro drew a line in the sand and urged his sick and discouraged men to either return to Panama or cross the line and continue the conquest of Peru.The tomb of Francisco Pizarro in the Cathedral of Lima. In 1977, forensic scientists positively identified the remains of the conqueror of the Inca Empire.The stunning Our Lady of the Evangelization Chapel in the Cathedral of Lima. This chapel was created in 1654.The Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) was built in 1937 and is the official residence of Peru’s president and the seat of the executive branch of government. Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro built his house on the site.Celia Vasquez, Goshen College’s study coordinator in Peru, and students examine the Great Hall in the Government Palace. The hall can accommodate 250 people for state dinners.An overall view of the Great Hall in the Government Palace.The immense quartz crystal chandelier in the Great Hall of the Government Palace is the largest in Peru. It has 150 lights and weighs 1.5 tons.Peru SST leaders Judy Weaver and Richard Aguirre (far left and right) stand on either side of GC students Alan, Jacob, Rudy, Landon, Joshua, Becca and Lauren.GC students Alan, Jacob, Rudy, Landon, Joshua, Becca and Lauren pose beside the Peruvian flag in the Government Palace.An impressive skylight in the Government Palace.An ornate ceiling in the Government Palace.A magnificent stained glass window in the Government Palace.The beautiful Salon Jorge Basadre (Jorge Basadre Hall) features glass cabinets displaying gifts that Peru’s presidents have received. Presidential news conferences also are held in this hall. Lauren enjoyed her visit to the Salon Jorge Basadre in the Government Palace. Rudy gets a taste of what it would be like to address the news media in the Government Palace.Joshua poses in the Salon Jorge Basadre.A close up of Peru’s seal.Jacob, Rudy and Lauren examine the flag of the presidential guard in the Golden Hall, which was inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. Its walls are covered in gold leaf.The Grand Hall of the Government Palace serves as the reception area for Peru’s most important guests.Alan, Lauren, Landon, Joshua and Becca in the Grand Hall.The Grand Hall features busts of Peru’s greatest heroes, including Tupac Amaru, the leader of an indigenous uprising in 1780 against the Spanish in Peru.Students were treated to an insider’s tour of the Government Palace, including corridors that led to the kitchen and other service areas.While touring the palace, students came upon soldiers, limbering up for the noon changing of the guard ceremony.Members of the presidential protection unit prepare for the changing of the guard ceremony.
Members of the presidential guard march on the main plaza, in front of the Government Palace, as part of the changing of the guard ceremony. Joshua and Jacob observe the changing of the guard.Landon, Becca, Alan and Jacob observe the changing of the guard.Landon leans out to get a better view of the changing of the guard.Jacob, Rudy and Alan during the changing of the guard ceremony.The regimental band marches into position for the changing of the guard.Dual units of the “Field Marshal Domingo Nieto” Calvary Regiment, Guard of the President of the Republic of Perú, converge at the climax of the changing of the guard ceremonySoldiers march toward their barracks as the changing of the guard ceremony concludes.Students in the courtyard of the presidential palace with Celia Vasquez, Goshen College’s study coordinator in PeruLauren, Becca, Joshua, Landon, Jacob, Rudy and Alan depart the presidential palace following their memorable visit. In the background is the Estación de Desamparados, the beautiful former railway station which now is a museum.Jacob, Alan, Lauren, Landon and other students eat their first Peruvian meal at La Merced, a downtown restaurant which features carved wooden walls and a ceiling.The entrance to the Convento de Santo Domingo (Convent of Santa Domingo). Originally built in 1537, Santa Domingo was home to Peru’s three saints – San Martin de Porres, San Juan Macias and Santa Rosa de Lima.A tour guide at Santo Domingo shows students Spanish tile that date back to the 17th century.The final resting place of Santa Rosa de Lima, one of Peru’s saints. Born as Isabel Flores de Oliva, she lived from 1586 to 1617 and was made the first saint of the Americas, in 1671. Santa Rosa de Lima is considered Lima’s patron saint.A painting depicting San Martin de Porres, who lived from 1579 to 1639. A lay brother, he lived in the Convent of Santo Domingo and cared for the sick. He was named a saint in 1962.Rudy in the bell tower at the Convent of Santo Domingo. Lauren and Rudy in the tower at the Convent of Santo Domingo.Becca and Jacob enjoy views from the tower at the Convent of Santo Domingo.The view toward downtown Lima from the tower at the Convent of Santo Domingo.The tower at the Convent of Santo Domingo.
