16th-Century Hospital and Church Remains Unearthed in Lima's Historic Centre
Archaeologists in Lima’s historic district have made a notable discovery, uncovering a 16th-century church and hospital near the Santa Rosa de Lima sanctuary. This finding, announced by Prolima, includes the Church and Hospital of the Holy Spirit, established in 1573 by Miguel de Acosta. The hospital began admitting patients in 1581 and featured altars in its rooms. Excavations revealed a cobblestone entrance, brick floors, and remnants of sailors. After various uses, the site was demolished in the 1940s. A museum exhibit showcasing resin bones will open to the public on August 24. Lima was established in 1535 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
Key facts
- Remains of 16th-century Hospital and Church of the Holy Spirit found in Lima's historic centre.
- Discovery announced by Prolima, the Municipal Programme for the Recovery of the Historic Centre of Lima.
- Site located in garden of sanctuary of Santa Rosa de Lima.
- Hospital founded in 1573 by Greek merchant Miguel de Acosta for seafarers and their families.
- Hospital began operating in 1581; each room had a small altar.
- Church deconsecrated by mid-19th century; altarpieces moved to Church of the Holy Christ of Wonders.
- Excavations found cobblestone floor with herringbone pattern, brick floors, church walls of river stones, and burials in niches.
- 18th-century Valencian tiles discovered; Valencia was a major tile exporter.
- Hospital funded by fees on ships from El Callao and 5% charge on sailors' salaries.
- Site used by Royal Nautical Academy (1817) and Central Naval School until demolition in 1940s.
- Located on Holy Spirit Street (now Jirón Callao) in Lima, founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro.
- Lima's historic centre declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
- Public visits start 24 August, anniversary of Santa Rosa's death; resin bones will be displayed instead of human remains.
Entities
Artists
- Luis Martín Bogdanovich Mendoza
- Diego Pariona Espinoza
- Miguel de Acosta
- Francisco Pizarro
- Santa Rosa de Lima
Institutions
- Prolima
- Municipal Programme for the Recovery of the Historic Centre of Lima
- Church of the Holy Spirit
- Hospital of the Holy Spirit
- Sanctuary of Santa Rosa de Lima
- Church of the Holy Christ of Wonders
- Royal Nautical Academy of Lima
- Central Naval School
- School of Engineers
- UNESCO
Locations
- Lima
- Peru
- El Callao
- Valencia
- Spain
- Jirón Callao
- Holy Spirit Street
- City of Kings