MALI – Museo de Arte de Lima

Overview

The Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI) occupies the Palacio de la Exposición, a striking neo-Renaissance building from 1872 set in the Parque de la Exposición. Its permanent collection spans 3,000 years of Peruvian artistic production, from pre-Columbian textiles to contemporary installations.

Highlights

• Pre-Columbian Collection: Extraordinary Paracas textiles and Nazca ceramics offering insight into Peru's earliest artistic traditions.
• Colonial Silver: Ornate religious silverwork from the Viceroyalty period, showcasing mestizo baroque craftsmanship.
• Contemporary Wing: Rotating exhibitions featuring Peru's most dynamic living artists.

History

The Palacio de la Exposición was built in 1872 to host Lima's first international exposition. The building became MALI's home in 1961, and a major renovation in 2010–15 modernized the galleries while preserving the 19th-century architecture.

Visitor Tips

• Free Sundays: Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month.
• Combine Visits: The surrounding park houses the Circuito Mágico del Agua, which opens in the afternoon.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.