Casa de la Literatura

The Desamparados station opened in 1912 as the Lima terminus of the Ferrocarril Central, the railway that climbs from the coast to over four thousand seven hundred metres in the Andes and was for a long time the highest standard-gauge line in the world. The building is Belle Époque: marble, ironwork, a stained-glass dome over the main hall. Passenger services largely ended, and in 2009 the station was converted into the Casa de la Literatura Peruana, a state cultural centre devoted to writing. It runs permanent and temporary exhibitions on Peruvian authors - Vallejo, Arguedas, Vargas Llosa, Blanca Varela and others - a children's reading room, a specialised library, workshops and talks, all free. It sits directly behind the Government Palace beside the Rímac, and it is one of the better free things to do in the historic centre.

What you actually see

• The station - a 1912 Belle Époque hall with a stained-glass dome.
• The exhibitions - permanent and temporary displays on Peruvian writers.
• The reading rooms - a children's room and a specialised library.
• The railway history - the terminus of the line that climbs to over 4,700 metres.

When to go

Year-round. One to two hours. Closed Mondays. Free entry, and the programme of talks and workshops is worth checking.

Honest expectations

Exhibitions are almost entirely in Spanish, which limits them for non-Spanish speakers. The centre closes between exhibition installations. The surrounding streets need normal city caution, particularly after dark.

Nearby

The Plaza Mayor is a short walk west; the Rímac district is across the river.