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Located at the end of a once elegant avenue in Rimac at the foot of San Cristobal, the Convento de Los Descalzos, the Convent of the Barefoot Friars, was founded in 1595 as a place of spiritual retreat surrounded by fields and vineyards. Even though today it's right in the middle of sprawling and hectic Lima, the Convent still is a tranquil and relaxing refuge. Since the 1980s the convent houses an impressive museum displaying three centuries of religious art.
While the convent itself is in its beauty and uniqueness a piece of art, a guided tour leads through the arched porticos and seven cloisters displaying over 500 religious paintings and sculptures and offering a journey through 300 years of religious art in Peru. The items mainly from the 16th to 18th century represent styles known as the Cuzco, Lima and Quito schools reflecting the melding of indigenous artistic styles with European.
Interesting as well are the displayed apothecary jars and tools from the 19th century and the old printing equipment. And don't miss the wine cellar with its huge wooden barrels.
