Why has Lima’s cathedral been rebuilt several times?

Lima’s cathedral has been rebuilt several times primarily due to the city's vulnerability to severe earthquakes. The region is prone to significant seismic activity, which has historically caused extensive damage to the city's infrastructure and historic buildings.1

A particularly devastating earthquake occurred in 1746, which ravaged the city and resulted in the loss of 5,000 lives. Such natural disasters have necessitated repeated reconstruction efforts throughout the history of Lima, as the city has had to rebuild its structures, including its most prominent religious sites, following these catastrophic events.12