The vast Peruvian lands offer a quantity of surprises that certainly cannot be held in one place. Whether you’re looking for international, contemporary or pre-hispanic art, the magical capital of Peru will leave you breathless with its cultural and historical expression.
As you may know, there are many museums in Lima, which some of them are recognized worldwide. For that reason, we have listed a few of the most significant galleries so you can plan a special itinerary through the extensive artistic expression of our county.
Yes, we are travelers ourselves and we are aware that there is not such a thing as ‘enough time’ while being on vacation, but if you have the right information you might end up with a complete travel itinerary that fits your requirements and entertain you in every aspect. Continue reading and find out about our best pick of museum in the city of Lima that you can’t miss!
1. Contemporary Art Museum (MAC)
Situated right at the heart of the bohemian district of Lima, Barranco, lies a significant art center. The Contemporary Art Museum of Lima was born thanks to the initiative of supporting emerging and already established artists of Latin America.
The famous gallery was inaugurated in the beginnings of 2013 and offers an incredible architectural masterpiece designed by the Peruvian architect Frederic Cooper Llosa. The site is surrounded by an esplanade where shows and events take place.
The museum is the only institution dedicated to the promotion, research and dissemination of contemporary artistic practices in Peru. It is composed of tree exhibition rooms of 100, 200 and 1,000m2 used for the showcase of modern Latin American art.
Address: Av. Grau 1511, Barranco, Lima.
2. Lugar de la Memoria
For those looking to experience the most recent Peruvian history, here’s a museum that looks to raise awareness about the different people that faced a tragic moment in our contemporary time.
If you didn’t know, Peru experienced a violent 20-year period from 1980 to 2000 due to the terrorist attacks caused by the Shining Path during those years.
As an advocate for human rights, the Lugar de la Memoria, la Tolerancia y la Inclusión Social (LUM) looks to promote the understanding of the consequences caused by those dark times in the Peruvian region.
The site offers information and testimonies in video of those who were directly affected by those outrageous actions.
Address: Calle San Martín 151, Miraflores, Lima
3. Italian Art Museum
The Museo de Arte Italiano in Lima was a gift from the Italian community of the country on its 100th independence anniversary. The site holds about 300 art pieces from 200 italian artists that date back to the XIX and XX centuries.
The museum is housed in a neo-renaissance structure, designed by the Milanese architect Gaetano Moretti. The entire building is beautifully decorated with two impressive murals where European characters are portrayed, such as Cristobal Colón, Dante Alighieri, San Francisco de Asis, Leonardo Da Vinci and Marco Polo.
The collection is composed of several paintings, pottery art and sculptures that were donated from different galleries within Italy. Therefore, it is considered as the first museum that exhibits Italian art outside of the European country.
Address: Av Paseo de la República 250, Cercado de Lima.
4. Amano Museum
It’s a cultural center founded by Yoshitaro Amano, a Japanese naval engineer who acquired a great interest for archeology during his time in Peru. The museum offers an exclusive glimpse at the different cultures that marked our country.
Likewise, it is recognized for holding one of the most important pre-Columbian textile collections across the nation. The Amano Museum was inaugurated in 1964 with the initiative to preserve the different pieces left behind by looters.
Currently, the museum is more focused in the conservation of the pre-Columbian textile expression of that time, which is why it is now called Amano Pre-Columbian Textile Museum, being the only one of its class.
Address: Retiro 160, Miraflores
5. Art Museum of Lima - MALI
MALI is the principal museum of Lima, characterized for portraying the artistic expression of Peru since pre-Columbian times. The site has an extension of 4,500 square meters and it’s composed of several rooms that exhibit its permanent and temporal collections.
It was born thanks to the initiative of the ‘Patronage of the Arts’ in 1959. The Museo de Arte de Lima offers the opportunity to get fully immersed in the Peruvian artistic production.
The museum’s collection includes pottery art and ceramic belonging to several pre-Hispanic cultures from the Andes, as well as colonial furniture and republican cultures. Its permanent exhibition holds over 3,000 years of art in Peru making it one of the most important galleries in the whole region.
Address: Parque de la Exposición, Av 9 de Diciembre 125, Cercado de Lima.
6. Pedro de Osma Museum
Located right next door to the MATE Gallery, the Pedro de Osma Museum headquarters are situated in a beautiful mansion surrounded by well-cared gardens.
The museum offers an exhibition of the private collection of Pedro de Osma, who was a collector of art pieces from the Viceregal era, traced back between the 15th and 18th centuries.
Here, you’ll find paintings of renowned artists, such as Bernardo Bitti and Luis de Riano, as well as many other anonymous painters from the 18th century Cusqueñan School. Other pieces include altar decorations, furniture, sculptures and silverwork.
Address: Pedro de Osma 421, Barranco, Lima.
7. Museo Central
Also known as Museo del Banco Central de Reserva del Perú is a national museum dedicated to the preservation of the archeology, numismatics and artistic expression of the country.
It was founded in 1922 in the first headquarters of the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú. The museum is a cultural space that allows people to interact with art and millenary traditions.
Lima is certainly the artistic and cultural hub of the country since there are so many museums in galleries that hold the distinctive historical heritage of the enigmatic lands of Peru.
Address: Jirón Lampa 474, Cercado de Lima.
For those who love history and art as much as we do, we highly recommend taking some time to visit any of these attractions, especially if you’re having some extra time in the busy city of Lima.
Would you like to know our country at its fullest? Dare to uncover its mysteries with the perfect travel itinerary and hop on to an unforgettable adventure across the vast Peruvian lands. Viagens Machu Picchu counts with a local expert team that will make sure you don’t miss anything during your trip to Peru.
