A short walk away from the San Francisco Monastery stands the majestic and imposing building of the Government Palace, which is also known as House of Pizarro. Ever since independence, this is the official residence of the Peruvian President. Over the years, the palace has been damaged due to fires and earthquakes and has had to be restored and remodelled numerous times. However, immense care has been taken to retain the original grandeur of the structure.

Access to the interiors is restricted but can be gained if a prior appointment has been taken with the Public Relation Office. Do remember to carry your passport with you. We managed to go in and were extremely taken in by the magnificent entrance hall, the beautiful lounges and other historical treasures that we got to see there. It boasts of numerous ceremonial rooms and well-kept gardens. Currently, in the palace, there are halls, rooms and courtyards, which are named after renowned figures from Peruvian history. Magnificent rooms like the Golden Room with rich paintings and pictures have been well conserved here. The presidential room is far simpler and is located upstairs.

The change of guards at the palace is a ceremony worth witnessing and should not be missed at any cost. It can also be seen from outside the palace, which takes place daily around noon.