After our all night bus ride, we get dropped off in Arequipa
While some destinations may have lost a bit of their allure as more and more travelers descend on them, the same cannot be said for Arequipa (ar-ay-KEE-pa), Peru’s most beautiful city. If you’re seeking a place away from the crowds yet full of unique things to do, Arequipa is among the must sees in Peru.
If you ask Peruvians across the country about the city, the first things they will likely mention are the beautifully stark architecture, built with the white volcanic rock called sillar, and the cuisine, which stands out in a country already renowned for its range and quality of food. In the afternoon, (after a bit of rest), we'll take a stroll around the the historic center.
2) La Compañía Church
Situated in
Arequipa's historic center, Iglesia de la Compañía is another reminder of the
glorious religious legacy left by colonists and Jesuit priests. It took
more than one hundred years to build this church. The Baroque-style facade is
considered to be a masterpiece of South American Colonial architecture. It
features motifs from pre-Hispanic Native American mythology. Inside the temple
there is a beautifully carved wooden altar covered with gold leaf decorations. The walls are ornamented with
paintings by Bernardo Bitti, an Italian artist who came to Peru at the end of
the 16th century.
3) La
Merced Church
It took
more than fifty years for the La Merced complex to be constructed. Like
many other buildings in Arequipa, Iglesia La Merced, also called the “House of
God,” was built using ashlar stones. This volcanic stone easily transforms into
beautiful carvings in the hands of a skilled artist. The Churrigueresque altar
and Virgin de las Mercedes paintings are the main attractions inside the
church. There is also a great colonial library located within the walls of this
historic complex.
4) Santuarios Andinos Museum
Museo
Santuarios Andinos is one of the most popular museums in the city. The
museum houses the famous Juanita mummy, whose story is full of tragedy and
drama. Juanita was one of many children who were sacrificed by the Incas to
please the God of the Mountains. She wasn’t just an ordinary girl but is
believed to have been of royal blood. Here you can also see gold and silver pieces, traditional Peruvian
textiles, intricate wood and stone carvings and other archeological artifacts
found in the mountains surrounding the city.
5)
Cathedral of Arequipa
The only
cathedral in Peru to stretch the length of the plaza it is situated on, The
Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa is the most important place of worship in the
city. The original structure dates back to the mid-17th century.
Although there were some modifications made after the cathedral suffered from a
fire and an earthquake, it still looks beautiful and tells a fascinating story
about the significance of religion in the colonial era. The interior of the
cathedral is spacious and simply decorated. The high altar and twelve columns
symbolizing the twelve apostles are made from Italian marble. The magnificent,
large Byzantine candelabra lamp hanging above the altar was brought here from
Spain. The huge organ imported
from Belgium at the end of the 19th century is said to have been the largest
organ ever brought to South America.
6) San Agustín
Church
Located on
a street bearing the same name, Iglesia de San Agustín is an impressive
Baroque-style church built in 1575. Like many other Arequipa buildings,
San Augustin Church suffered a lot of damage during the strong earthquake of
1868, but it underwent a series of restorations in the 19th century. During the
restoration some Neoclassical ornamentation was added to the interior and the
facade. Inside, notice the careful attention to decorative detail reflected in
the rich ornate dome, the impressive high altar and fine golden carvings. There
are also several large paintings in the central area of the church depicting
religious life in the city during the colonial era.
7) Casa del Moral
The
"Casa del Moral" is a large ancestral house built around 1730. Favored
by tourists, it is one of the best and well-preserved samples of baroque-mestizo
civil architecture in Peru.
The name of the house derives from the emblematic presence of a centennial tree
of "moras" in the center of the main patio of the large house. The
Casa del Moral houses a collection of paintings from the "Escuela Cusqueña",
a colonial art form. Its library contains more than 3,000 volumes, primarily
hispanic literature. The recent restoration of the house was with the help of
the Consul of England in Arequipa; the house is currently the property of the
Peruvian bank Bancosur.
8) Santa Catalina Gallery
9) Museo Histórico Municipal Guillermo Zegarra Meneses
Situated
opposite San Francisco Church, Museo Histórico Municipal displays a variety of
archeological pieces that have great historical value. The museum has
several rooms with themed exhibits. These include the Pre-Hispanic Chamber that
showcases objects belonging to the Wari Empire, the Vinatea Reynoso room that
features satirical caricatures, and other rooms where you can view historic
maps, traditional Peruvian artwork and other valuable artifacts.
10) San
Francisco Church
Founded by
the Franciscan Order in 1552 and finally completed in 1569 by Gaspar Báez, this
old monastery tells an interesting story about Arequipa's past religious
identity. After reconstruction work in the 17th century, Iglesia San
Francisco became the largest complex in the country to have been built using
ashlar stone. The rich, ornate interior of the church includes a Baroque-style
embossed silver altar, an intricately carved pulpit, choir chairs and wooden
figurines. Inside the complex is a small square, a temple used as the head
office of a craft center and a library holding over twenty thousand volumes.
11) Calle San Francisco
Calle San Fransisco is a must-visit street in Ariquipa known
for its dynamic and vibrant atmosphere. This busy street is full of
restaurants, shops and nightclubs, most of which are located in beautiful
colonial buildings.
