Plaza de Armas travel guide

The main Plaza de Armas, where Atahualpa was executed, has a 350-year-old fountain, topiary and gardens. It was remodelled in 2006. The impressive cathedral, opened in 1776, is still missing its belfry, but the façade has beautiful baroque carving in stone. The altar is covered in original gold leaf.

On the opposite side of the plaza is the 17th-century San Francisco Church, older than the cathedral and with more interior stone carving and elaborate altars. A side chapel has an ornate ceiling. Museo de Arte Colonial (Mon-Sat 1430-1800.) US$0.85, entrance is unmarked on far left corner of church. Tickets are sold from an unmarked office on the right of courtyard as you walk towards the church. Attached to San Francisco, the museum is filled with colonial paintings and icons. The guided tour of the museum includes entry to the church’s spooky catacombs.