In Lima’s Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Francisco complex is one of the most popular stops for travelers planning a city tour. Upstairs are the basilica and the Franciscan convent. Below, beneath the chapels, lies a network of vaults and passageways that served as a cemetery during the colonial period. The Catacombs of San Francisco are not a horror-themed attraction. They are the burial grounds of a city that laid members of religious brotherhoods, clergy, and prominent residents to rest beneath the church until the practice ended in the 19th century. Walking inside means stepping into colonial Lima: brick, lime mortar, stone, humidity, and carefully arranged bones that can still be seen in the burial pits.
History of the Convent of San Francisco
The San Francisco Monumental Complex was built in the 17th century and is considered one of the clearest examples of Lima’s Baroque architecture. Its façade, cloisters, and decorative tiles reflect that period. Lima’s earthquakes forced the complex to be rebuilt more than once. The earthquake of 1746 was one of the most destructive. Even so, the convent still stands and remains home to Franciscan friars. Today, it also serves as a religious museum in the Historic Center: visitors can explore the church, art galleries, and the underground catacombs as part of the same guided admission.
What Are the Catacombs and What Can You See Inside?
The catacombs are a series of vaults and galleries beneath the church’s chapels. They were used for burials from the 17th century until the early 19th century. Members of religious brotherhoods, friars, and prominent residents of colonial Lima were buried there. It is estimated that the remains of more than 25,000 people rest in these underground spaces.
Visitors stop at burial pits where skulls and femurs are arranged in geometric patterns. This arrangement was not recently created for photographs. It is part of the way the ossuary was organized when burial space became limited. The tour also reveals the construction of the underground complex: brick vaults, lime-and-stone masonry, low passageways, and systems of burial niches. It offers a better understanding of how people were buried in a city before public cemeteries existed in the way we know them today. The floor can be uneven, and some ceilings are low. The temperature remains cool even when Lima is humid and overcast outside.
The Library and Treasures of the Convent
The visit does not end underground. The convent houses one of the oldest libraries in the Americas, with thousands of historical and academic volumes. The rooms included in the guided tour feature colonial paintings, sculptures of saints, and decorative tiles visible throughout the cloisters. Visitors who only focus on the catacombs miss another important side of Peru’s colonial period: the books, altarpieces, and courtyards. The guide usually connects both levels as part of the same tour.
Visiting Hours
The Convent of San Francisco and the catacombs are open every day. As a reference, regular visiting hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is best to enter by around 5:30 p.m., since the guided tour lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. During Holy Week and, in some years, during October, nighttime tours may be offered on a special schedule. Hours can change because of Mass, holidays, or maintenance. Confirm the schedule on the day of your visit, especially if you plan to arrive close to closing time.
Admission Price
Admission prices vary depending on the visitor category. As a reference, adult admission is around 15 soles, student admission around 8 soles, and children’s admission around 3 soles. Prices may be updated. Check at the ticket office or through the official channels before visiting. Access to the catacombs is only available as part of a guided tour lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes, offered in Spanish or English. Visitors cannot explore the underground passageways on their own.
How to Get There
The convent is located at the intersection of Jirón Áncash and Jirón Lampa, in Plazuela San Francisco, just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza Mayor. If you use a ride-hailing app, simply enter “Iglesia de San Francisco” as your destination. You can also get there using Lima’s Metropolitano bus system, getting off at one of the stations serving the Historic Center and continuing on foot. Most city tours of downtown Lima include this stop. If you are exploring on your own, visit San Francisco, Plaza de Armas, and Lima Cathedral on the same morning, since all three are within walking distance of one another.
Recommendations for Your Visit
- Photos and videos are not allowed inside the catacombs.
The site remains a burial space, and the convent treats it with the respect that requires.
- The most comfortable time to visit is early, between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Later in the day, city tour groups begin to arrive and the lines can get longer.
- The passageways are narrow and there are stairs.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
- It stays cool underground throughout the year.
A light jacket or sweater is usually enough.
- Visitors are asked to remain quiet.
It is a short tour, but it takes place in a colonial cemetery, not in a themed attraction.
