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The Church of San Francisco is one of the most significant landmarks in Cajamarca. It is a historical monument which holds a lot of significance. The Church of San Francisco is one of the popular religious sites in Cajamarca which is dedicated to La Virgen de los Dolores the patron saint who is believed to bring good health to believers.

The Church of San Francisco is a Boutique style church which is made from volcanic rocks and boasts an intricate craftsmanship. The church is well decorated with paintings and stained glass windows. This is in fact the only church where the construction work was completed although in the 20th century after Peru gained independence.

The people of Cajamarca were under Spanish dominion for quite a long time. In order to avoid the taxes that was levied on buildings the local inhabitants left most of the buildings unfinished.

The Church of San Francisco was built during the 17th and 18th centuries when it became a Spanish colony. This church was a counterpart to the Cathedral during the colonial era. After independence the construction work of the church was completed. A beautiful stone building with carved façade was added to the structure. Besides, two new towers were constructed in the year 1951. The interior of the San Francisco church was well decorated with exclusive embroidery work and beautiful paintings. The side altars of the church were carved in wood and covered with gold leaf.

If you explore through the Church of San Francisco you will truly appreciate the intricate architectural work and the artistic wealth which are treasured in the Church building. This church in Cajamarca has a beautiful façade which describe the great sculptural work of the era.

The Church of San Francisco has a religious art museum which boasts a huge collection of religious icons and paintings from the Cusquena and Quitena schools. Although the church is undergoing some repair work but you can still visit the bare catacombs where the monks were buried. In these bare catacombs you can see a few skeletons and skulls.

Your tour to Cajamarca will remain incomplete if you do not visit the Church of San Francisco. Just take some time out from your tour schedule and explore this religious site which is one of the most prominent churches in Cajamarca.