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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
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 23-2635
end_of_the_skype_highlighting / 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 Cusco School 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
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 22-3048
end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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
totally 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 Arequipa Schools. 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
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 27-0966
end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M.
– 12:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
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 Amazon
Rainforest, and another to religious art. It also has a gallery
exhibiting canvasses from the Cusco and Arequipa Schools 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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 21-3511
end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 21-2251
end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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 Arequipa
Schools are preserved there as well as sculptures from the Granada
School 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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 22-0066
end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 21-3233
end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 21-2209
end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054)
28-8881 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (054) 21-5013
end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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 another site 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 Mount Misti 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 Chili
River 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”
water-spring (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 / 18.583 fasl)
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.
Salinas Lake is considered a special spot to observe flamingos
during their migration period.
Source:
PromPeru
Arequipa: Quechua Language = Ari quepay - Yes, stay. |
