Lima Colonial Mansions

(Lima, Peru)

Spread around Lima is a series of attractive colonial mansions, which date from the 16th century onwards and provide the city with much character and undeniable glamour. The Palacio Torre Tagle is without question one of Lima's most famous of these mansions and boasts some very distinctive wooden balconies and stylish architecture, with a strong Moorish influence.

Also of note in Lima is the Casa Aliaga, which is another of the city's most prominent and historical colonial mansions, being constructed as long ago as 1535, on the actual site of an existing sanctuary. Still home to the Aliaga family, the Casa Aliaga is currently amongst the oldest mansions existing within the New World, and is to be found next to the Government Palace.

General Information

The main colonial mansions of Lima are as follows:

• Casa Aliaga
  Address: Jiron de la Union 224, Lima, Peru, PE
  Tel: +51 01 619 6900
  Known for its authentic colonial-style furnishings, with guided tours available, bookable through local tour operators in Lima

• Casa del Oidor
  Address: Plaza Mayor, Lima, Peru, PE
  Tel: +51 01 444 3027
  One of the most historic of all the houses in Lima, the Casa del Oidor dates from the 17th century and was built soon after the city was founded. The surrounding square is overlooked by endless shuttered balconies

• Casa de Oquendo
  Address: Casa Osambela, Lima, Peru, PE
  Tel: +51 01 427 7987
  An attractive 19th-century mansion with a tall lookout tower, which features excellent views of Lima and its Callao port

• Casa de la Riva
  Address: Jiron ca 426, Lima, Peru, PE
  An elegant 18th-century house, now operated by the Entre Nous Society and filled with antiquities

• Casa de Riva Aguero
  Address: Jiron Camana 459, Lima, Peru, PE
  Tel: +51 01 427 9275
  Named after former owner and acclaimed writer Don Jose de la Riva Aguero, and featuring a small and popular collection of folk art. The rest of the Casa de Riva Aguero can be viewed, but only by appointment

• Casa Pilatos
  Address: Ancash 390, Lima, Peru, PE
  Tel: +51 01 427 7212
  Housing the National Culture Institute, the Casa Pilatos is an especially easy mansion to visit - simply turn up and knock on the front door

• Palacio Torre Tagle
  Address: Ucayali 363, Lima, Peru, PE
  Tel: +51 01 427 3860
  Built in 1735 and today home to the Foreign Ministry offices.
  Visits should be arranged in advance and are usually only permitted on a Saturday, although you can usually explore the patio area at any time