Casona of the National University of San Marcos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Casona de San Marcos
View of the building's chapel from the park
General information
Type	Institution, cultural centre
Architectural style	Baroque, Rococo
Location	Lima
Address	Av. Nicolás de Piérola 1222, University Park, Lima
Country	Peru
Opened	1605
Owner	University of San Marcos
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Cultural: iv
Inscription	1988 (12th Session)
Area	259.36 ha
Buffer zone	766.70 ha

The Casona of the National University of San Marcos is a big, old building in the heart of Lima, Peru. It's also known as the Cultural Centre of San Marcos (CCSM). This amazing place is part of the Historic Center of Lima, which UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1988.

This building used to be a special school for Jesuit priests. Later, it became the main home for the National University of San Marcos from 1875 to 1966. Today, it's a busy cultural hub for the university. It has a theatre called the University Theatre (TUSM), a library, and places for ballet, folklore, music, and film.

The Casona also has two cool museums: the Museum of Art (MASM) and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA). It's one of the oldest and most important historical buildings in Lima that isn't a church. It shows off beautiful Spanish colonial style.

Discover the Casona's Past

The story of the Casona began in 1605. A rich Spanish man named Antonio Correa Ureña gave money to build a special school. This school was for new members of the Society of Jesus, a group of priests. It was called the Novitiate of San Antonio Abad.

Back then, the school was huge, much bigger than the building you see today. A big earthquake in 1746 damaged it. But the Jesuits rebuilt it with a new design, making it look like it does now.

In 1767, the Jesuits were asked to leave. So, the Viceroy of Peru, Manuel de Amat y Junyent, turned the building into a university-like college. He named it the Real Convictorio de San Carlos to honor King Charles III of Spain. This college became very important in the late 1700s and 1800s.

After Peru became independent in 1821, the college kept running almost on its own. But in 1867, it officially joined the University of San Marcos.

The Casona remained a very important place for the university and for Lima. In 1966, another earthquake caused damage. The university then moved its main offices to a new place called the University City. The Casona was then changed to host the university's cultural activities.

In 1989, the University of San Marcos worked with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and the National Institute of Culture. They signed an agreement to fix up the building. The goal was to make it a center for culture, research, and art. Spain helped a lot with money and technical support for these repairs.

Today, the building is home to the university's cultural centre. It offers many cultural classes and art shows. It also has several university museums and research centers. Inside, you'll find the Hall of Degrees, where important university ceremonies happen. There are also other special rooms and courtyards, like the General Hall and the courts of Law and Letters.

Explore the Casona's Spaces

The Casona is full of interesting rooms and open spaces. Let's take a look!

Special Halls to See

Chapel of Nuestra Señora de Loreto

This chapel is also called the Hall of Degrees of Literature. It's found between two courtyards: Literature and Jasmines. Many people think it's one of the most beautiful parts of the old Casona.

Look up at its ceiling! You'll see thirteen lovely paintings from the mid-1700s. These paintings show important saints and thinkers from the Church.

General Hall

Right in front of the Courtyard of the Jasmines is the General Hall. This large room has old wooden stands and galleries from the late 1700s. Today, the university uses this hall for its most important events. These include graduation ceremonies, special meetings, and seminars.

Beautiful Courtyards

In the early 1900s, the Casona had five main courtyards. Each one was used by a different part of the university.

The main courtyard is called the Courtyard of los Maestros (Teachers' Courtyard). It has a carved sculpture in the middle. This sculpture has seen many historical moments and is a symbol of the university. You can even see it on the 20 nuevos soles banknotes today!

Other courtyards included the Courtyard of los Naranjos (Orange Trees), the Courtyard of los Chicos (Boys), and the Courtyard of los Jasmines (Jasmines). Each one had its own unique feel and purpose.

Amazing Museums

The Casona is home to two fantastic museums. They are great places to learn about art and history.

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

Logo used by the museum.

The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) is the university's museum about ancient cultures and people. It used to be called the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology.

It opened on October 21, 1919. The museum has a collection of ancient tools made of stone, pottery, and other natural materials. Its first director was a famous expert named Dr. Julio C. Tello. In 2023, the museum added two new rooms to its permanent collection.

Museum of Art

Logo used by the museum.

The Museum of Art (MASM) is the university's art museum. A famous Peruvian archaeologist and teacher, Rebeca Carrión Cachot, once worked here. She studied with Dr. Tello.

The museum's history started on September 27, 1951. Back then, it was called the Museum of Pictorial Reproductions. Later, in 1970, the Museum of Art and History was added. Finally, on October 23, 1996, these two parts joined to become the current Museum of Art.

The museum has four main collections. These include popular art, portraits, modern art, and a special collection of paintings by farmers. The portraits show important people from the university, including its famous students.

University Theatre

The San Marcos University Theatre (TUSM) is the university's own theatre group. It was started on September 4, 1946, by a group of students. They were studying literature at the university.

Many talented directors have led the theatre group since it began. Here's a list of some of them:

Gallery

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  Building plan

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  A wide view of the Casona and the nearby University Park. You can also see the German Tower and other important monuments.

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  The building and its chapel in 1925.

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  Students from Law in 1896 gathered in a courtyard.

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  The beautiful 18th-century paintings on the chapel's ceiling.

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  The Rococo-style Courtyard of los Maestros.

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  The Courtyard of los Jazmines.

See also

In Spanish: Casona de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos para niños

• List of buildings in Lima
• National University of San Marcos
• University City of the National University of San Marcos
• Royal College of the University of San Marcos