Originally, this church belonged to the Jesuit novitiate of San Antonio Abad. However, after the Jesuits were expelled from Spanish territories, the church was transferred to its current location. The building went through a series of transformations throughout its history, including being rebuilt following the devastating Lima-Callao earthquake in 1746.
In 1876, the church became the Chapel of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, a prestigious university in Lima. However, it was in 1924 that the crypt underneath the altar was designated as the final resting place for the heroes of the Peruvian War of Independence. In recognition of this, the church was appropriately renamed the "Panteón de los Próceres."
It's important to note that this "Panteón de los Próceres" should not be confused with the one located at the Presbítero Maestro cemetery. That particular Panteón is where the remains of the heroes from the War of the Pacific in 1879 are honored.
Inside the Panteón de los Próceres, you'll find beautifully painted murals by the talented artist José Sabogal, adding a touch of artistic grandeur to this significant place. The crypt holds the remains of 24 heroes of the Peruvian War of Independence, along with 41 effigies that serve as a collective tribute to their legacy.
As you explore this hallowed ground, take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by these brave individuals who fought for Peru's independence. Their stories echo through the halls of this crypt, and their memory is preserved here for generations to come.
