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Photo Gallery
Arequipa's Downtown
Santa Catalina Monastery
Santa Teresa Monastery
La Compañía Church
Surroundings and Countryside
Sabandía Mill |
Arequipa Guide
Main Square, city of Arequipa
Bordered by various arched walkways and the Cathedral, the Main Square possesses
a beautiful bronze fountain of three plates crowned by the figure of a sixteenth
century soldier. Of this person, who is called “Tuturutu”, the story says he was
in charge of warning of any new event. Around the square, you see three granite
portals with brick and lime bases: Portal del Cabildo (Portal de la
Municipalidad), Portal de las Delicias (Portal de San Agustín), and Portal del
Regocijo (Portal de Flores).
Cathedral, city of Arequipa
Main Square. Telephone: (054) 23-2635 / 40-5393. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat.
7:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M., Sundays 7:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
and 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
It is considered one of the first seventeenth century religious monuments of the
city. It is built of sillar (white volcanic stone) with a brick base. Destroyed
by fire in 1844, it was rebuilt in 1868 by the Arequipa architect Lucas Poblete.
He used a Neoclassical style and placed the entrances of church on the flanking
naves. In 2001, the building was struck hard by an earthquake, which seriously
damaged its towers.
Iglesia de La Compañía and
Complex (The Church of the Company of Jesus Christ)
Intersection of Calle General Morán and Calle Álvarez Thomas, Main
Square.Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 6:00
P.M.
This complex, made up of buildings constructed by the Jesuits for religious and
living purposes, is a representative monument of the seventeenth century
religious architecture (1660). The church itself rises from the center of the
buildings. It was designed in 1573 by Gaspar Baez and destroyed by an earthquake
in 1584. The current structure dates from 1650. Inside you find sixty-six
canvases from the CuscoSchool from such artists as Bernardo Bitti and Diego de
la Puente.
Iglesia de San Francisco and complex (Church of Saint Francis)
First block of Calle Zela. Telephone: (054) 22-3048. Church visiting hours:
Mon. – Sat. 7:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Sundays 7:00 A.M. –
12:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Convent visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00
A.M. – 12:30 P.M. and 3:00 P.M – 5:00 P.M.
The complex contains the Saint Francis church, the convent and a smaller church
known as La Tercera Orden (the Third Franciscan Order). What catches the
attention inside the church is the bas-relief decorated Baroque pulpit and the
silver front of the main altar. Besides these, a short passageway, named
Manguillo de San Francisco, has been added to the complex to separate the church
from what was the first girl school and later a women jail. Today, it has become
a commercial art center known as “Fundo El Fierro” (Iron Ranch).
Monasterio de Santa Catalina
(Saint Kathleen Monastery)
Calle Santa Catalina 301. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Constructed to shelter the daughters of the wealthiest families of the city with
a religious vocation, the monastery was inaugurated on October 2, 1580, under
the name of Santa Catalina of Siena to be a totaly cloistered religious center,
and it remained that way until August 15, 1970.
It occupies an approximate area of 20.000 m2 (215.285 feet2), and its placement
is similar to the first neighborhoods of Arequipa.
The building
exhibits rooms of very different architectural design. One of the areas has
established as a gallery to display the canvasses of the Cusco, Quito, and
ArequipaSchools. There are other rooms, or sectors, to visit as well, like el
Claustro de la Portería (the Gate Cloister), el Museo Precolombino (the
pre-Colombian Museum), el Claustro de San Francisco (the Cloister of Saint
Francis), etc.
Convento de La Recoleta (La
Recoleta Convent)
Jiron Recoleta 117. Telephone: (054) 27-0966. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat.
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Email: convento-la-recoleta@terra.com.pe
A Franciscan convent founded in 1848, open to the public since 1978. It features
various styles that include Romantic and Neo-gothic styles due to its different
remodeling campaigns (the last one in 1940). It has four cloisters and eleven
sectors, as well as two pre-Colombian art rooms, two others dedicated to the
AmazonRain Forest, and another to religious art. It also has a gallery
exhibiting canvasses from the Cusco and ArequipaSchools and a valuable library
that protects more than 20.000 volumes and ancient books.
Iglesia y Convento de Santo
Domingo (Church and Convent of Santo Domingo)
Intersection of Calle Santo Domingo and Calle Rivero. Telephone: (054)
21-3511. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 7:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 7:30
P.M. Sundays 5:45 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. and 6:30 P.M. – 7:45 P.M.
Architecturally, the church is characterized by a bell tower, its entrance with
a corner pedestal, and its impeccable arch under the choir loft. Inside, one can
appreciate paintings and other pieces of sacred art.It is also known for its
side entrance being the oldest in Arequipa. The upper cloister of the convent
was constructed around 1734.
Casa del Moral (Moral House)
Calle Moral 318, downtown Arequipa. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. –
5:00 P.M. Holidays 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
An eighteenth century house, constituting one of the oldest and most important
architectural monuments from the Arequipa Baroque period. The house owes its
name to an ancient blackberry tree that grows in its main patio. Inside,
furniture from Peru’s Colonial and Republican epochs is on display. The main
entrance of white sillar stone is a work of art in which you can admire
carefully carved figures. For example, there is a crown suspended above a coat
of arms that is held up by two angels, the coat of arms is composed of tinier
carvings of a castle, a bird, a puma, and two crossed keys. In the same way, the
room of sixteenth century “antique” maps of America stands out.
Barrio de San Lázaro (Saint
Lazarus neighborhood)
Five blocks from the Main Square, Arequipa.
This neighborhood of alleys, narrow passageways, small plazas, and large homes
is the most representative of old Arequipa. This place was established by
Dominican priests in 1538, who built a sanctuary to evangelize the natives of
the area and prepare the land to found a new Spanish city. The small bridge that
connects the Church of San Lázaro and its small plaza with the rest of the
quarter is worth a visit.
Casa Goyeneche (Goyeneche House)
Calle La Merced 201. Telephone: (054) 21-2251. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri.
9:15 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
This sixteenth century house of white sillar stone is completely designed in the
Colonial style. Prints from the Cusco and ArequipaSchools are preserved thereas
well as sculptures from the GranadaSchool of the seventeenth century. The name
comes from Mr. Juan de Goyeneche y Aguerreverre, who bought it in 1782.
Presently, it is headquarters to the Central Reserve Bank of Peru in Arequipa.
Iglesia San Agustín (Saint
Augustine Church)
Intersection of Calle San Agustín and Calle Bolívar. Telephone: (054)
22-0066. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. – 7:00
P.M. Sundays 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Built in 1575, the church displays a façade that dates from the first half of
the eighteenth century and is considered one of the best of its time. In
architectural terms, it belongs to the mixed-origin Baroque and the main
construction material is white sillar stone. Inside, the main highlights are the
dome, its Neoclassical altars, especially the major one, for the precise
carvings and gilding.
Iglesia La Merced (Mercy Church)
Intersection of Calle La Merced and Calle Tristán. Telephone: (054) 21-3233.
Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Saturdays 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Its construction began in 1551 and was completed in 1607. It has an attractive
side entrance, which features the image of the Virgin of Mercy accompanied by
two saints of mercy. Important works of art like the “Aparición de la Virgen a
San Pedro Nolasco” (Saint Peter Nolasco Recovering the Image of the Virgin) are
preserved in its sacristy as well as a series of paintings related to the Virgin
de la Merced in the main hall. The church and the convent, the latter
constructed in the city, were built using the white sillar stone from Arequipa.
The cloister maintains a library that dates back to the Vice royal period.
Casa Tristán del Pozo (Tristán
del Pozo house)
Calle San Francisco 108. Telephone: (054) 21-2209. Visiting hours: Mon. –
Fri. 9:15 A.M. – 12:45 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Saturdays 9:30 A.M. –
12:30 P.M.
This traditional, colonial house has a façade carved in mixed-origin Baroque. In
addition, it was made with wide, unique patios inside. It was built in 1738 for
General Domingo Tristán del Pozo. Today, it is the property of Banco
Continental.
Museo Arqueológico de la
Universidad de San Agustín
(University of San Agustín Archeological Museum)
Intersection of Calle Álvarez Thomas and Calle Palacio Viejo. Telephone: (054)
28-8881. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:15 A.M. – 4:15 P.M.
A varied collection is exhibited here including stone items, bones from human
sacrifices, ceramic pieces from the Nasca, Tiahuanaco, Huari, and Inca, and
objects of gold and silver from the Colonial and Inca eras.
Museo de Arqueología de la
Universidad Católica de Santa María de Arequipa (University of Santa María de
Arequipa Archeological Museum)
Calle Cruz Verde 303. Telephone: (054) 95-9636. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri.
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
The museum has around 1000 pieces (ceramics, textiles, mummies, works of stone,
wood, and metal) from the different cultural groups that inhabited the
Department of Arequipa from 12.000 B.C. up to the time of the colony: Nasca,
Tiahuanaco, Wari, Churajón, Acarí, Aruni and Inca as well as transitional and
colonial materials.
Museo Santuarios Andinos de la
Universidad Católica de Santa María(Catholic University of Saint Mary)
Calle La Merced 110, downtown Arequipa. Telephone: (054) 21-5013. Visiting
hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Sundays 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
"The mummy, Juanita, will not be on exhibit from January to April each year
because it will be going through a process of preservation."
Here, they exhibit la Dama de Ampato (the Lady of Ampato), an Inca mummy of a
twelve to fourteen year old girl found at the top of the Ampato volcano by the
climber Miguel Zárate, the archeologist José Chávez, and the anthropologist
Johan Reinhard on September 8, 1995. According to the specialists, it is very
likely that the girl, whose remains were found frozen, died from a blow to the
temple from a five pointed granite mace. It seems that she was sacrificed to the
Ampato Apu (protector god) some 500 years ago.
Urbanización Selva Alegre (Selva
Alegre suburb)
Considered the “garden of the city” for its large parks and huge trees that
live in harmony with the modern houses of the area, Selva Alegre was constructed
as a monument to Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzmán, fore runner of the Peruvian
independence. The Molino de Santa Catalina (Mill of Saint Kathleen) is
anothersite to visit, completely restored and located on the mall of this zone.
Yanahuara
Lookout
2 km / 1 mile from downtown Arequipa (8 minutes by car)
It was built in the nineteenth century and is composed of a series of sillar
stone arches where the words of famous Arequipa citizens have been engraved.
This spot is a wonderful view point of the city and MountMisti volcano.
City of Sabandia
8 km / 5 miles from Arequipa (20 minutes by car)
Wide terraces and three volcanoes, the Misti, the Chachani, and the Pichu Pichu,
provide the scenery around this traditional town. Some of the houses still
preserve characteristic styles of the Viceroyalty or of the nineteenth century
Republicanism. A recreational area with two swimming pools that use the cold
river waters of the surrounding region has been built.
Molino de Sabandía (Sabandía
Mill)
Located in Sabandía
Constructed in 1785, it represents the typical architecture of the zone where
the use of sillar stone predominates. It is characterized by solid supports and
rustic balconies. Stone grinding wheel techniques for wheat processing can be
viewed here as well.
Mansión del Fundador (Founder’s
Mansion)
9 km / 6 miles from Arequipa (15 minutes by car)
Built with sillar stone at the edge of a cliff, it is one of the most important
and traditional mansions or houses in the department. According to the story,
Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, founder of Arequipa, had it built for his son. Later,
in 1785, Mr. Juan Crisóstomo de Goyeneche y Aguerreverre was its proprietor and
remodeled it, giving it the distinguished characteristics that can be seen
today. The main entrance is composed of a foyer with an arched ceiling, followed
by a wide principal patio over which the windows and doors of the bedrooms open.
District of Cayma
3 km / 2 miles south of Arequipa (8 minutes by car)
The village of Cayma is known as the “Balcony of Arequipa” for its advantageous
location that allows the entire city to be seen. Its central plaza houses the
church of San Miguel Arcángel (Saint Michael the Archangel), built in 1730 and
considered an architectural jewel because of its mixed façade. In the rectory
annex, the “Comedor de Bolívar” (Bolivar’s dining room) is preserved where,
according to legend, the Liberators used to have lunch during their stay in the
town.
Misti Volcano
The foothills of the volcano are located 20 km / 12 miles. northeast of
Arequipa (1 hour by 4x4 vehicle)
The Misti volcano, 5825 masl / 19.111 fasl is the guardian of the city. From the
summit, you can see the city of Arequipa, the ChiliRiver valley, and the
Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes.
Yura Hot Springs
27 km / 17 miles north of Arequipa (45 minutes by bus)
These are wells of thermal waters at the foothills of the Chachani volcano, 2575
masl / 8448 fasl. The therapeutic properties of the waters, which temperature
fluctuates between 23ºC (73.40ºF) and 28ºC (82.40ºF), are celebrated. Between
1810 and 1831, Mr. José Nogal y Noguerol built the wells that are still
maintained today.
Sumbay Caves – Rock Art
97 km / 60 miles north of Arequipa on the Caylloma highway (1 hour and 45
minutes by bus)
Located within the boundaries of the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve,
this area boasts over 500 rock art figures. These representations, possibly made
by the first inhabitants of the area, are approximately 6000 to 8000 years old.
Mount Chachani
The base camp is 55 km / 34 miles north of Arequipa (2 hours by 4x4
vehicle). From there, an approximate 6-hour hike will take you to the summit.
This snow covered peak, towering over 6075 masl / 19931 fasl is considered one
of the most difficult mountains to climb in Peru. It is an inactive volcano, but
lava is still visible, and there are depressions and moraines. It takes two days
and one night to ascend.
District of Yarabamba
21 km / 13 miles south of the city of Arequipa (35 minutes by car)
The name of the district comes from two Quechua words: “yaro” or “yara”, a
native bush of the area, and “bamba” which means pampas. Visiting the mansion of
Arenas y Pinto and the colonial house of Rivera y Echevarría are the things to
do in the town.
District of Quequeña
25 km / 16 miles southeast of Arequipa (40 minutes by car)
This area has been inhabited by the Lupacas, Aymaras, Quechuas, Collaguas,
Puquinas, and, in the middle of the fifteenth century, the Incas. The name of
the town probably comes from the Puquina word, “quequeña”, which means “rocky
and solid place”. The main places of interest are la Alameda de los Sauces
(Willows Walk), la Alameda de los Muertos (Path of the Dead), and Guanaqueros
Gorge. There is also a recently restored church to see.
District of Chiguata
30 km / 19 miles east of Arequipa (45 minutes by car) at the foothills of
the Pichu-Pichu volcano
Chiguata was founded on January 22, 1540, by the steward - Diego Hernández. The
name of the city is a combination of two Quechua words, “chiri” (cold) and
“guata” (year), and means “cold all year long”. Among the main attractions, you
can visit the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo (Church of the Holy Spirit) and the
archeological centers of Tambo de León and Infiernillos.
District of Tiabaya
10 km / 6 miles from Arequipa (15 minutes by car)
The valley is completely agricultural and is believed to have been inhabited by
the ethnic groups of the Kuntis from Cabana, the Yanahuaras, and the
Chumbivilcas. On November 8, 1870, it was given the title of “city” and is
famous for its rustic restaurants.
District of Characato
10 km / 6 miles from Arequipa (15 minutes by car)
This town has plenty of vegetation and abundant water, so it is ideal for
farming. Very close to the town is the “Ojo de Milagro” waterspring (Eye of
Miracle Spring). There is also a beautiful colonial church. Historically, the
inhabitants of this area went to work at the southern salt licks, now territory
of Chile. When the people of this place were asked where they were from, they
used to say “from Characato, sir”; that is where the nickname of the people of
Arequipa – “characatos” come from.
Colca Valley
151 km / 94 miles north of Arequipa (3 hours by car)
The extreme northeastern section of the department of Arequipa is located here.
The highest point is the inactive volcano Mount Ampato (6288 masl), and the
lowest at the confluence of the rivers Colca and Andamayo (970 masl). The Colca
valley is 100 km in length and occupies only part of the Colca river basin,
comprising the districts of Callalli and Huambo.
There are sixteen villages in this zone made up of descendents of the Collaguas
and Cabanas tribes, inheritors of rich cultural traditions. The towns of Chivay
and Cabanaconde are the most visited by tourists.
In the latter, you can watch condors soar from the Cruz de Condor (Condor
Crossing) Lookout. The Colca valley forms part of the South American tectonic
plate and contains the active volcano Sabancaya, located on the volcanic
mountain Hualca Hualca. This valley possesses a great diversity of flora and
fauna. Among the most representative species are the condor, the kestrel, the
peregrine falcon, and the Andean tinamou.
Colca Canyon
42 km / 26 miles west of the town of Chivay (1 hour by car)
This is one of the deepest places on the planet, reaching a depth of 3400 meters
/ 11.155 feet at the lowest point in the location of Canco. On the right side,
it is flanked by the Chila Cordillera (Bomboya, Serpregrina, Mismi, Queshihua)
and on the other by Mount Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato. You can see
Mount Ubinas and beautiful Mount Coropuna in the distance.
Salinas and Aguada Blanca
National Reserve
35 km / 22 miles northeast of Arequipa (1 hour and 30 minutes by bus)
The reserve covers almost 367.000 hectares, including territory from the
Provinces of Arequipa, Caylloma (department of Arequipa), and General Sánchez
Cerro (department of Moqueqa). It was created for the purpose of preserving
important associations of flora and fauna, protecting the natural environment
that was deteriorating and in the process of being destroyed, as well as caring
for the vicuña through a repopulation program.
The reserve is located between 2800 and 6050 masl (9186 and 19.849 fasl) and the
Misti (5825 masl / 19.111 fasl), the Chachani (6075 masl / 19.931 fasl), and the
Pichu-Pichu (5664 masl / 18.583fasl) volcanoes are found there.
Among the most representative species of the reserve are the vizcacha, the fox,
the condor, and the Andean flamingo or parihuana. Scientists have determined the
existence of 169 animal species, 23 of which are mammals (including two forms of
domesticated South American camelids), 138 species of birds (blue billed ducks,
eagles, and kestrels are the trophies), 3 reptilians, 4 amphibious, and 3 fish
species. SalinasLake is considered a special spot to observe flamingos during
their migration period.
Source: PromPeru
Arequipa: Quechua Language = Ari quepay - Yes, stay. |
