Dirección de Turismo
The Casona of San Marcos
Symbol of the oldest University of America
The Casona of San Marcos dated back to 1605. The Society of Jesus founded the Probation House and Novitiate Saint Antonio Abad, through a grant done by Antonio Correa Ureña, a Receiver-General of the Holy Office. The Novitiate worked until 1767, when Jesuits were expelled from Peruvian viceroyalty by Royal Decree.
By 1770, the Real Convictorio de San Carlos began to operate in the Casona’s facilities. This educational institution was created by Viceroy Amat as a tribute to sovereign Bourbon Carlos III. It was at its height when Toribio Rodriguez de Mendoza was the Rector (1785 - 1816). During the independence process, San Carlos became the primary focus of conspiracy with separatist ideas. For that reason, Viceroy Pezuela recessed San Carlos in 1817 due to poor conditions and the lack of revenues. In 1822, San Carlos was reopened over a political and economic instability.
In 1842, under the Bartolomé Herrera’s management, it was at its height again, becoming the best higher school of the Republic. In 1867, Mariano Ignacio Prado ordered the annexation of San Carlos to the University of San Marcos, during his first government.
At the time of setting-up the University in the Casona, it was facing a reorganization and consolidation period as the unique superior educational institution in Lima; but this process was disrupted by the War of the Pacific. Students and professors organized public demonstrations and literary afternoons against the war. When hostilities started (1879), they participated in the South Army and then defended Lima city (1881).
When the Chilean army took Lima, it encamped in the building of San Marcos. The monumental and cultural legacy of the Casona of San Marcos, as well as the National Library, was sacked and destroyed. After the war, the recovery pocess in the intellectual life began.
In the XX century, the University became a place for the intellectual, literary and politic debate. In 1966, San Marcos University is moved to a new building in Aramburú farm, thus the Casona entered into a forgetfulness and carelessness stage.
The complete restoration process of the Casona began in 1990, through an agreement signed with Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECI). Furthermore, in the Casona was established the Cultural Center of San Marcos (CCSM) in 1995, which encourages the development of scientific research and artistic creation.
Tourism Office
Centro Cultural de San Marcos
Our Tourism Office offers a permanent service of guided tours to domestic and foreign tourists.
WORKING HOURS FOR GUIDED TOURS
Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Sundays and holidays (when it is requested, minimum 20 people)
PRICES
- Adults / Foreigners S/. 5.00
- Students S/. 3.00
- Children, schoolchildren, elderly S/. 1.00
Cost includes guide service
INFORMATION AND TOURISM OFFICE
Guided Tours and Tour Programs.
Av. Nicolás de Piérola 1222, Parque Universitario. Centro Histórico de Lima
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 9:00 – 18:00 hrs.
Telephone: 6197000 – Extension 5206
Email: turismo.ccsm@unmsm.edu.pe / turismo.ccsm@gmail.com |
