Lima – "The City of the Kings"
Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, in western South America. The country is bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile, giving it an extremely diverse and exciting culture.
Lima is located on the west central coast of Peru and is a city with around 10 million people. It is the third largest city in the Americas, after Sao Paulo and Mexico City. The city was founded in 1535 and today around one third of the population of Peru lives in the metropolitan area of Lima.
The centre of Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its magnificent architecture, and is often dubbed ‘City of the Kings’. Many of the buildings in this area, such as the Convent of San Francisco, are a result of collaboration between local craftspeople and the various governing bodies of Peru.
La Catedral de Lima is one of the most spectacular buildings in Lima, and resides on the plot of land that Pizarro designated for the city’s first church in 1535. The building has been built and rebuilt numerous times due to various earthquakes, with the last major restoration in 1940. It features a Baroque style façade, and inside there are more than a dozen altars carved in every imaginable style.
Around 20 miles southeast of Lima city centre is Pachacamac, an archaeological complex of a pre-Columbian citadel. This site began as a ceremonial centre reflecting Lima’s culture, formed around 100 A.D. It was soon expanded by the Waris and then later taken over by the Ichsma. This was an important Inca site and withheld several stone palaces and temple pyramids.
One of the most wonderful perks Lima has is its cuisine. Peruvian food is among the most varied and flavourful in the world. Their delicacies are a reflection of the coast, the Andean Highlands and the jungle – a combination of influences from different times in the country’s history.
Peruvian food is an amalgamation of Pre-Inca, Inca Spanish, Basque, African, Asian and many more influences. Be sure not to leave Lima without trying a quinoa breakfast, ceviche, and lomo saltado.
It wouldn’t be a trip to Peru without having at least one pisco sour cocktail. This is a combination of pisco, fresh lime juice, sugar, egg white and Angostura bitters and is wonderfully refreshing and a true taste of the region.
There are numerous ultra-luxury hotels in and around Lima, including an arts-boutique hotel – the first of its kind in the country. There is also a burgeoning fine-dining scene whereby you can enjoy some of the most delightful dishes in elegant and serene surrounds.
You can fly into Jorge Chavez International Airport, which is just 7 miles from Lima. Alternatively, you can fly into Santa Maria Airport, which is 43 miles from the city. Travel to Lima in a private jet charter with Chapman Freeborn – contact us today to receive a personalised quote for your needs.
Images courtesy of Erik Cleves Kristensen, Manidis Roberts, Marie Thérèse Hébert, David Baggins
