LA MERCED CHURCH

This church was rebuilt after the 1628 earthquake. It has Baroque and Neoclassic holy scenes, magnificent choir stalls, and its sculptures include a splendid Cristo del Auxilio attributed to Juan Martínez Montañés (1568-1649) as well as a Pietá and a Christ's suffering at Gethsemane. It has notable murals in the Captain Villegas chapel. The convent has wide cloisters; the main one, two stories high and finished in 1781, combines Moorish, Baroque and Rococo designs. A series of oil paintings about the life of Saint Peter Nolasco dates from the eighteenth century. On the main altar stands the effigy of Our Lady of Mercy, patron saint of Peru's armed forces. Here is also venerated the Cross of the Father Pedro Urraca, who dedicated his life to the poor ones.

More information:

• The city of kings (newsletter article).