Built during the Colony upon the place that used to be the quarter of Pachacamilla, a place inhabited by descendants of black slaves brought from Angola which conformed a confraternity. It is said that one of them painted an image of Christ on the Cross upon a wall. This wall remained unharmed in spite of a severe earthquake (1655) and since then a cult and devotion to the image have increased considerably. A replica of the painting was made and it is carried throughout the city, every October, in an impressive procession. The image is known as Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles), Cristo Morado (Christ in Purple) or Cristo de los Temblores (Christ of the Earthquakes) and is considered the Patron Saint of Lima.

Best Tours including a La Merced church sighting:

• Total Peru - 21 days.
• Extreme Adrenalin in Peru - 19 days.
• From the Andes to the Rainforest - 16 days.
• Peru's Mystic Experience - 15 days.
• Royal Tour - 14 days.
• Machu Picchu & the Amazon - 12 days.
• Machu Picchu, Nasca & Titicaca - 12 days.
• Gastronomic Tour - 11 days.
• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 10 days.
• Machu Picchu & Titicaca Lake - 10 days.
• Machu Picchu & Rainforest - 10 days.
• Machu Picchu & Nasca Lines - 10 days.
• Peru for couples - 10 days.
• Cusco & Machu Picchu - 7 days.
• Honeymoon in Machu Picchu - 7 days.

More information:

• Feria del Señor de los Milagros.
• The city of kings (newsletter article).