The Cathedral is located in the historic centre of Lima at the Plaza Mayor. The construction of the Cathedral began in 1535 and lasted three years. At the time, how the first churches were fairly simple because of the constant destruction caused numerous earthquakes, the building of the Cathedral of Lima was huge, reflecting the importance of the Church in colonial times. With every quake, the building of the temple again and again been repaired, which has been amended, reflecting the different eras of art from Baroque to Neoclassicism.

To date, the Lima Cathedral consists of a Central nave, two side aisles, one of which goes outside de Judios and the other to the Patio de Los Naranjos, and 13 of the chapel. In the left chapel you can see the beautiful image of our lady of La Esperanza. During a recent repair to this chapel were found old paintings, which can now be seen by every parishioner. In the chapel of the Holy Family are figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Here lie the remains of Francisco Pizarro, the founder of Lima, who supervised the construction of the first building of the Cathedral of Lima.

The façade of the Cathedral impresses by the beauty of graceful details, statues and ornaments carved from stone. The interior of the temple is fascinating merge of the late Gothic, Baroque and neoclassical elements. Beautiful in its contrast vaulted ceiling and parquet in the form of a chessboard. Strikes rich in the main altar, gilded and carved wooden images representing the saints and apostles. On the walls of the side naves is the way of the cross in the form of large paintings.

In accordance with most cathedrals, the facade has three large doorways. Near the tower, two high tower with a spire in the neoclassical style.

In the old sacristy and adjacent rooms houses the Museum of religious art of the Cathedral of Lima. Here is a large and valuable collection of religious paintings, sculptures, furniture, jewelry, sacred vessels and liturgical items, religious vestments and robes of former archbishops.

Pope John Paul II visited the Cathedral twice, in 1985 and 1988.