Leaping the Horizon: An ancient cultural town next to the Pacific Ocean, Lima’s “Ossuary Church”

Have you ever thought about what it would be like on the other side of the earth where you live?

Everyone talks about the United States, but not everyone "knows" the United States. In fact, the United States is not alone in the other half of the earth where the United States is located. After all, the United States cannot occupy the entire half of the earth, right? Even if it wishes to own the entire earth, it only occupies a small part of the Western Hemisphere.

If you want to talk about a country in the Western Hemisphere that has beautiful Pacific scenery and a rich and ancient cultural and artistic heritage, you have to mention Peru and its capital, Lima.

Lima, the capital of Peru, faces the Pacific Ocean to the west and is located in the center of Peru’s western coastline. It is one of the largest cities in South America, gathering one-third of the country’s population, and is an important center for politics, culture, finance and The center of commerce. Because it was a Spanish colony, the old town has a large number of cathedrals, monasteries, houses and squares in the Spanish architectural style, and they have all been included in the World Cultural Heritage. It is a place that lovers of culture, art and photography must not miss!

The builder of Lima's Old Town was Francisco Pizarro, Spain's earliest colonizer, who built it in 1535. With the Plaza de Armas as the center and a checkerboard layout developing outwards, it was a characteristic of the Spanish colonies. Francis calls this place the "City of Kings". Although the name is a bit too real, it has indeed been the political, religious and economic center of South America for four hundred years, and has become the residence of countless dignitaries.

Although the past has become textual history and dust, these colonial-era buildings still exist quietly here, proving everything in the past, whether good or bad.

In the centuries-old Spanish-style buildings in Lima, there are bustling tourists, tour groups, security guards, salesmen holding picture albums to sell products, and authentic vendors pushing small carts selling ice products. , young people selling selfie sticks, women selling souvenirs with wooden boards hanging around their necks, the voices of enthusiastic exchanges in different languages ??can be heard one after another... This is a collection that travels through time and space!

If you have the chance to go to Peru, remember to spend at least one day in Lima’s old town, it will definitely be a great adventure! In these exotic buildings, there are many unique museums worth entering and savoring.

This is the importance of long-lasting culture and art!

They travel through time and come to us, slowly describing the glory and sadness of the past again and again; breaking through the obstacles of time again and again, passing on the beliefs, beauty, experiences and stories of the past again. For the next generation; continue to record and precipitate the traces of nature and human civilization activities again and again... because they actually exist, allowing humans to touch things and feel emotions, trace the past, and leave the lives of past people behind traces become more meaningful.

Precisely because of possessing these "tokens" hundreds or even thousands of years later, human beings can explore across time and space, review the past and learn new things, and people across races, cultures, and countries can have conversations on the same topic. Communication...this is such a touching and exciting thing!

For example, the San Francisco Monastery in Lima, built in 1673, is also known as the "Ossuary Church"

An ocher-colored church in the Latin American Spanish architectural style;

The inner hall is gorgeously and elegantly decorated, with a Moorish patterned dome;

A world-famous library with many authentic ancient books, like a magic academy;

There is also a painting that blends into Peru The mural of "The Last Supper" featuring classic dishes;

And the ancient underground ossuary, famous for the burial of 25,000 skeletons;

In the 16th century, because After Spanish colonists ruled Peru, Peruvians began to believe in Catholicism and believed that after death, one must be buried in the place closest to heaven, that is, a church, in order to lead to heaven. These skeletons were those of blacksmiths, carpenters, teachers, military officers, etc. who had contributed to the church, so they could be stacked and buried here.

All this composes a unique hymn that transcends the boundaries of religion, culture and country. Visitors can't help but be silent and salute, and are deeply immersed in this rich humanistic atmosphere.

Although Lima has suffered frequent earthquakes over the centuries, the San Francisco Monastery has not suffered much damage until the 1970 earthquake, when it suffered major damage. Fortunately, it was later repaired.

"Start doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you will do the impossible."

The above is a sentence from the staff of the Bone Church Restoration Action Team talk. So simple, yet so meaningful.

Yes, aren’t things in the world like this?

Although we are ordinary, insignificant, and powerless human beings now, in the eyes of people in the future, those who create these great miracles are mortals, not the powerful. No?

In the next issue of "Zhi's Time", let's see the world together and talk about humanities and art.

See you next time!