# Legislative Palace (Peru)

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Legislative_Palace_(Peru)
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Legislative_Palace_(Peru).md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Palace_(Peru)
> Source revision: 1344687039
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Government building in Lima, Peru

Legislative Palace Palacio Legislativo Interactive map of the Legislative Palace area General information Architectural style Beaux-Arts Location Lima, Peru Coordinates 12°02′53″S 77°01′31″W / 12.0480°S 77.0253°W / -12.0480; -77.0253 Construction started September 24, 1906 Completed 1936; 90 years ago (1936) Design and construction Architects Emilio Robert [es] Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski Website congreso.gob.pe

The **Legislative Palace** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Palacio Legislativo*) is a government building that serves as the seat of the [Congress of Peru](/source/Congress_of_Peru), the legislative branch of the [Peruvian government](/source/Government_of_Peru). Located at Ayacucho (formerly Urubamba)[1] street, it lies next to next to the [Bolivar Square](/source/Plaza_Bolivar_(Lima)) and forms part of the neighbourhood of [Barrios Altos](/source/Barrios_Altos), itself part of the [historic centre of Lima](/source/Historic_centre_of_Lima).

The palace contains the congressional chambers, the [Raúl Porras Barrenechea](/source/Ra%C3%BAl_Porras_Barrenechea) Hall; the Hall of the Lost Steps; and the offices of the congressional leaders, commissions, and parliamentary groups.[2] This building houses the sessions of [Congress](/source/Congress_of_Peru) as well as the inauguration speech of the [president](/source/List_of_presidents_of_Peru).

Located behind the building is **José Faustino Sánchez Carrión Square** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Plaza José Faustino Sánchez Carrión*), a [public square](/source/Public_square) named after the [pro-independence politician](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Faustino_S%C3%A1nchez_Carri%C3%B3n) and maintained by Congress.[3][4]

## History

The site was originally the location of San Juan de la Penitencia, a *casa de recogimiento* built under the government of Viceroy [Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza, 3rd Marquis of Cañete](/source/Andr%C3%A9s_Hurtado_de_Mendoza%2C_3rd_Marquis_of_Ca%C3%B1ete), and established in 1550 to house creole and mestiza women orphaned by the civil wars of the *[conquistadores](/source/Conquistador)*.[5] In 1577, Viceroy [Francisco de Toledo](/source/Francisco_de_Toledo) granted the site to the [University of San Marcos](/source/University_of_San_Marcos), which occupied it throughout the [viceregal period](/source/Viceroyalty_of_Peru).

On September 20, 1822, the [Constituent Congress](/source/Constituent_Congress_of_Peru_(1822)) was installed in the building, as established in its provisional internal regulations.[2] In the meantime, the university temporarily moved to the *Colegio de San Pedro*.[5] During that time, the Congress also occupied certain rooms of the [old premises](/source/Museum_of_Congress_and_the_Inquisition) that belonged to the [Inquisition](/source/Inquisition), deactivated in 1820. The Senate was established in that building from September 1, 1829, the date on which the first ordinary session was installed. Previously, on July 20, 1829, the first preparatory meeting of the Senate was held.

On January 19, 1869, Congress issued a legislative resolution authorising then president [José Balta](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Balta) to order the construction of a legislative palace. On April 26, 1873, Congress again approved the authorisation for the construction of said palace, also pointing out the need to also build a building for the executive branch of Peru. However, neither of these requests could be met because of the economic situation that the country was facing (decline of the [guano boom](/source/Guano_Era)) and the [War of the Pacific](/source/War_of_the_Pacific). Before this confrontation, on November 7, 1878, Congress suspended the effects of its resolution issued in 1873.

Construction on a new legislative building began in 1904 based on the design of the French architect Emilio Robert. To make construction possible, the building—then used by the [Charity of Lima](/source/Charity_of_Lima) as a hospital—and its adjacent **Church of Saint Mary of Charity** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Santa María de la Caridad*) were demolished in 1916.[6] The latter had been established in 1562.

While the building served several political functions over the following decades of construction, it was not permanently occupied until 1938 during the presidency of [Óscar R. Benavides](/source/%C3%93scar_R._Benavides). In 2007, the building was damaged due to the [strong earthquake](/source/2007_Peru_earthquake) that took place on August 15, leading to the temporary closure of the third floor.[7]

## See also

- [Historic Centre of Lima](/source/Historic_Centre_of_Lima)

- [Congress of Peru](/source/Congress_of_Peru)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Coloma Porcari, César (1997). [*La Ciudad de los Reyes y la "Guía del viajero en Lima" de Manuel Atanasio Fuentes*](https://books.google.com/books?id=rWPrAAAAMAAJ) (in Spanish). Instituto Latinoamericano de Cultura y Desarrollo. p. 84. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9972-676-00-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9972-676-00-0).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) ["Congress of the Republic of Peru > Overview > Legislative Palace > History of the Legislative Palace"](http://www.congreso.gob.pe/eng/HistoryLegislativePalace/). *www.congreso.gob.pe*. Retrieved 2023-10-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Congreso realiza indispensables refacciones en Plaza José Faustino Sánchez Carrión"](https://comunicaciones.congreso.gob.pe/noticias/congreso-realiza-indispensables-refacciones-en-plaza-jose-faustino-sanchez-carrion/). *[Congreso de la República](/source/Congress_of_Peru)*. 2022-06-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Piden respetar plaza en honor a José Faustino Sánchez Carrión"](https://diariocorreo.pe/edicion/la-libertad/la-libertad-piden-respetar-plaza-en-honor-a-jose-faustino-sanchez-carrion-peru-noticia/). *[Diario Correo](/source/Diario_Correo)*. 2023-04-27.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Congreso2022_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Congreso2022_5-1) ["El Palacio Legislativo y la Universidad de San Marcos"](https://comunicaciones.congreso.gob.pe/noticias/el-palacio-legislativo-y-los-espacios-donde-se-construyo-y-se-construye-nuestra-democracia/). *[Congreso de la República](/source/Congress_of_Peru)*. 2022-09-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["El Palacio Legislativo y Santa María de la Caridad"](https://comunicaciones.congreso.gob.pe/noticias/una-iglesia-un-colegio-y-un-hospital-fueron-los-cimientos-del-palacio-legislativo/). *[Congreso de la República](/source/Congress_of_Peru)*. 2022-09-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Evalúan Traslado"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090323153828/http://www.peru.com/noticias/idocs/2007/8/20/DetalleDocumento_435051.asp). *[Perú.com](/source/Per%C3%BA.com)*. 2007-08-20. Archived from [the original](http://www.peru.com/noticias/idocs/2007/8/20/DetalleDocumento_435051.asp) on 2009-03-23.

v t e Lima landmarks Pre-Columbian buildings Huaca Huallamarca Huaca Pucllana Huaca Santa Catalina Pachacamac Puruchuco Colonial buildings Balconies of Lima Basilica and Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced Monument Plazoleta Basilica and Convent of San Francisco Catacombs Basilica and Convent of San Pedro Basilica of Santo Domingo Plazuela Casa de Aliaga Casa de Divorciadas Casa de Osambela Casa de Pilatos Casa del Oidor Casa Goyeneche Casa Hacienda Punchauca Casa Matusita Casa O'Higgins Casa Riva-Agüero Casona of the National University of San Marcos Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of Art Theatre Basilica Cathedral of Lima Sanctuary Cementerio Presbítero Matías Maestro Cripta de los Héroes Church of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Church of Saint Catherine of Siena Church of Saint Lazarus Church of the Good Death Church of the Holy Christ of Wonders Church of the Orphans Church of Our Lady of Copacabana Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church of Our Lady of Patronage Church of Saint Anne Church of Saint Augustine Church of Saint Liberata Church of Saint Mary Magdalene Convent of Our Lady of the Angels Cuartel Barbones Fort of Santa Catalina Iglesia de la Recoleta Mogrovejo Hospital Monastery of Saint Rose of Lima National Mint of Peru Palacio de la Magdalena Palacio de Torre Tagle Panteón de los Próceres Plaza de toros de Acho Real Felipe Fortress Royal College of the University of San Marcos Royal Hospital of Saint Andrew Sanctuary and Monastery of Las Nazarenas Sanctuary of Saint Rose of Lima Seminario de Lima St. Clare's Monastery Mill St. Sebastian's Church Trinitarian Church Walls of Lima Other touristic buildings Archbishop's Palace Association of Amateur Artists Atlas Building Bar Cordano Basílica María Auxiliadora BBVA Building Begonias Tower Casa Arenas Loayza Casa de Correos y Telégrafos Casa de las Trece Monedas Casa del Pueblo Casa Fernandini, Lima Casa Fernandini, Santa María del Mar Casa Roosevelt Casa Rusa Casa Sal y Rosas Casa Suárez Chinatown Arch Chocavento Tower Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken Club de la Unión Club Nacional Country Club Lima Hotel Cristo del Pacífico Delfines Hotel & Convention Center Desamparados station Diez de Octubre School Eduardo Dibos Colosseum El Ángel Cemetery Gamarra Government Palace Obelisk Gran Hotel Bolívar Gran Hotel Maury Guadalupe College Hermitage of Barranco Hospital Civil de la Misericordia Hotel Crillón Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Monument Institute of Hygiene Interbank Building Javier Alzamora Valdez Building JW Marriott Hotel Lima La Atarjea La Colmena Building La Rosa Náutica Larcomar Teatro La Plaza Library of Congress Lima Civic Center Legislative Palace Lima Convention Center Lima Stock Exchange Building Luis Gálvez Chipoco Stadium Mesa Redonda Monumental Stadium Morro Solar War Monument Mosque of Lima National Geographic Institute National Library of Peru National Maternal Perinatal Institute National Stadium of Peru Palacio de la Exposición Palacio de Miraflores Palacio Municipal Palace of Justice Pan-American Athletes' Village Petroperú Building Public Ministry of Peru Quinta Heeren Quinta Leuro Quinta Presa Rospigliosi Castle Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus Church Sheraton Lima Historic Center Sinagoga 1870 Sinagoga Sharón The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center Torre Banco de la Nación Museums and theatres Aeronautical Museum Bodega y Quadra Museum Canout Theatre Casa Grau Naval Museum Combatants of the Morro de Arica Museum DIRCOTE Museum Gold Museum of Peru and Arms of the World Gran Teatro Nacional José Carlos Mariátegui Museum Larco Museum Lima Art Museum Metropolitan Museum Morro Solar Planetarium Municipal Theatre Museum Museum of Congress and the Inquisition Museum of Contemporary Art Museum of the Brain Museum of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru Museum of Elections and Democracy Museum of Italian Art Museum of Natural History National Afro-Peruvian Museum National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History National Museum National Museum of Peruvian Culture Naval Museum Pinacotheca of Lima Teatro Colón Teatro Municipal Teatro Peruano Japonés Teatro Segura Squares and promenades Cinco esquinas Jirón de la Unión Pasaje Olaya Monument Pasaje Santa Rosa Pizarro statue Stone of Taulichusco Paseo de los Héroes Navales Las llamas La yunta Paseo Colón Columbus Statue Pizza Blvd. Plaza de la Bandera Plaza Bolívar Plaza Bolognesi Plaza de la Democracia Plaza Dos de Mayo Plaza Francia Statue of Liberty Plaza Grau Monument Plaza Italia Plaza José Faustino Sánchez Carrión Plaza Manco Cápac Monument Plaza Mayor Fountain Plaza Perú Plaza Ramón Castilla Monument Plaza San Martín Lamp of the Three Graces Plazuela de las Artes Plazuela del Teatro Monument Parks and zoos Alameda Chabuca Granda Alameda de los Descalzos Museum Bridge of Sighs Campo de Marte Monument Costa Verde Pan-American Complex El Olivar Friendship Park Cultural Centre Museum Heroes of Independence Park Huachipa Zoo Lima Golf Club Malecón de Miraflores Love Park Villena Bridge Medicinal Botanical Garden Kennedy Park Lachay National Reserve Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge Parque de la Exposición Fountain Parque de La Muralla Parque de la Reserva Parque de las Leyendas Paseo de Aguas Plazuela Chabuca Granda Monument Reducto № 2 Museum Reducto № 5 University Park Clock Education Antonio Ruiz de Montoya University Cayetano Heredia University Federico Villarreal National University National Superior Autonomous School of Fine Arts Cultural Centre National University of Engineering National University of San Marcos Officers' School of the National Police of Peru Peruvian University of Applied Sciences Pontifical Catholic University of Peru Raúl Porras Barrenechea Institute Ricardo Palma University Technological University of Peru University of Engineering and Technology Campus University of Lima Health Archbishop Loayza National Hospital Central Military Hospital Dos de Mayo National Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital National Institute of Child Health National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases San Bartolomé National Hospital Víctor Larco Herrera Hospital Nearby areas with beaches Ancón Callao Base Port Chancay Port Chorrillos La Herradura Miraflores La Pampilla Pucusana Former Banco Comercial Barranco Lake Barranco Zoo Cabildo of Lima Casa Alcántara Casa Marcionelli Casa Oechsle Casa Tenaud Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken Church of Saint Mary of Charity Cine Tauro El Sexto Prison Gate of Lima Giacoletti Building Great Clock of Lima Hipódromo de San Felipe Hipódromo de Santa Beatriz Lima Penitentiary Limatambo Airport Limatambo Building Marsano Palace Moorish Arch Museo de la Nación National Stadium San Jorge Prison San Martín barracks Venetian Palace Saint Paul's College Viceregal Palace

Authority control databases International VIAF GND WorldCat National United States Czech Republic Other Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Legislative Palace (Peru)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Palace_(Peru)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Palace_(Peru)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.