Best places to visit in Arequipa the white city of Peru

Arequipa , known as the White City , is a historical and cultural jewel in Peru . With its impressive colonial architecture, its captivating landscapes and its rich history, Arequipa offers visitors a unique experience. Here are the best places you can visit on your way through this beautiful city:

St. Catherine's Monastery

The Monastery of Santa Catalina, located in Arequipa, Peru, is one of the most emblematic and fascinating destinations in the city. Here you have more detailed information about this impressive place:

History:
The Monastery of Santa Catalina was founded in 1579 by the order of Dominican nuns. Its creation was inspired by the need to provide a place of retirement and closure for the women of Arequipa's high society. For many years, the monastery was home to noble women who entered religious life to dedicate themselves to prayer and contemplation.

The monastery functioned as a small walled city, with its own streets, squares, cloisters and gardens. Until the middle of the 20th century, the monastery remained closed to the outside world and only a few people could enter it.

Architecture and design:
The Santa Catalina Monastery is famous for its Spanish colonial architecture and its charming mix of styles. The monastery reflects Moorish, Mudejar and Andalusian influences, making it a unique architectural jewel. The walls of the monastery are painted in beautiful shades of blue, ocher and white, creating a stunning contrast to the clear sky of Arequipa. The cobbled streets and courtyards are decorated with potted flowers, vines and bougainvillea, providing a quaint and colorful atmosphere. The monastery consists of different sections, including the Cloisters Zone, the Novices Zone and the Professed Nuns Zone. Each section features its own architecture and design, allowing visitors to appreciate the evolution and changes over the years.

Touring the Monastery:
Upon entering the Monastery of Santa Catalina, you will immerse yourself in a world apart. You can wander the narrow cobbled streets, discover the cells where the nuns lived, and explore the picturesque cloisters and courtyards. Inside the monastery, you will find numerous chapels and altars, such as the Chapel of San Francisco and the Chapel of the Virgen del Rosario. These chapels are adorned with works of religious art, carved altarpieces and beautiful murals.

In addition to the religious spaces, the Monastery of Santa Catalina has an old kitchen, where the nuns prepared traditional meals and made bakery products. You can visit the kitchen and learn about the culinary techniques used in centuries past.

Restoration and conservation:
In recent decades, significant conservation and restoration efforts have been made to preserve the Santa Catalina Monastery. These efforts have allowed visitors to appreciate the beauty and authenticity of this historic site. The restored cells have been recreated to show how the nuns lived, with furniture and period objects. These cells offer you a fascinating insight into daily life in the monastery and how the nuns led a life of austerity and devotion.

Hours and visits:
The Santa Catalina Monastery is open to the public every day and offers guided tours in several languages. Hours may vary, so it is advisable to check before your visit.
Guided tours will allow you to explore the various spaces of the monastery and learn about its history and cultural importance. There are also information brochures available in different languages to help you better understand the place.

Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon is one of the most impressive natural destinations in Peru and one of the most popular attractions near Arequipa. Here you have more detailed information about the Colca Canyon:

Dimensions and location:
The Colca Canyon is located in the department of Arequipa, in southern Peru. With a length of approximately 100 kilometers, it is considered one of the deepest canyons in the world. Its maximum depth reaches 3,270 meters at the point known as "Cruz del Cóndor". To put it in perspective, the Grand Canyon in the United States has a maximum depth of about 1,800 meters.

Impressive landscapes:
The Colca Canyon offers impressive natural beauty with varied and spectacular landscapes. Here you will find sheer rock faces, agricultural terraces on the sides of the mountains, meandering rivers and verdant valleys. In addition, the canyon is surrounded by imposing mountains, among which snow-capped volcanoes such as Misti, Chachani and Ampato stand out.

Cruz del Condor Viewpoint:
One of the most famous and visited points in the Colca Canyon is the Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint. This viewpoint offers impressive panoramic views of the canyon and is known to be one of the best places to observe the majestic flight of the Andean condors. These birds, which are considered sacred in Andean culture, can reach a wingspan of up to 3 meters and are one of the largest species of flying birds in the world. The Cruz del Cóndor Lookout is a popular spot for nature lovers and photographers alike, as it provides a close-up view of the flight of condors as they glide over the canyon in search of updrafts.

Activities and hiking:
The Colca Canyon offers a wide variety of activities for visitors. The trails and paths in the area allow for scenic hikes that will take you through stunning landscapes and give you the opportunity to explore the local flora and fauna.
In addition, you can visit the traditional towns that are located along the canyon, such as Chivay, Yanque and Cabanaconde, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture, visit traditional markets and enjoy the hospitality of the local communities.

Hot Springs:
In the Colca Canyon area, you will also find natural hot springs. These hot springs are perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring and hiking. Some of the most popular places to enjoy the hot springs are La Calera, Chivay and Yanque.

Wild life:
The Colca Canyon is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including condors, vicuñas (a species of Andean camelid), guanacos, foxes, migratory birds, and a wide variety of endemic birds. Nature lovers will enjoy the opportunity to observe and photograph these species in their natural habitat.

Andean Sanctuaries Museum

The Andean Sanctuaries Museum, located in the city of Arequipa, Peru, is a museum dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of important archaeological finds related to ancient Inca rituals. Here you have more information about the Andean Sanctuaries Museum:

History and collections:

The museum was inaugurated in 1996 with the objective of exhibiting and studying the artifacts and mummies found on the summits of the volcanoes near Arequipa. The most famous piece in the museum is the mummy known as "Juanita" or the "Lady of Ampato", discovered in 1995. Juanita is an Inca girl who was sacrificed on the Ampato volcano more than 500 years ago. The mummy was found in an excellent state of preservation due to the low temperatures of the mountain, which has allowed researchers to obtain valuable information on the ritual practices of the Incas. In addition to Juanita, the museum exhibits other ritual objects and artifacts found on archaeological expeditions. These include finely crafted textiles, ceramics, weapons, and tools used by the Incas in their rituals and daily activities.

Exhibitions and visits:
The Museo Santuarios Andinos presents its archaeological finds in thematic exhibits that offer a detailed insight into the culture and life of the Incas. Through the display of the artifacts and the information provided, visitors can better understand the religious beliefs and practices of this ancient civilization.
The museum offers guided tours in several languages, providing detailed information on the archaeological finds and the cultural and historical importance of the Andean sanctuaries. During the visit, the guides will explain the Inca rituals and the circumstances in which the sacrifices were made.

Research and conservation:
The Andean Sanctuaries Museum is an active research and conservation center. Archaeologists and scientists continue to study the finds and use modern techniques to learn more about Inca culture and sacrificial rituals. The museum is also dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the artifacts and mummies on display. Conservation techniques are implemented to guarantee its integrity and minimize deterioration over time.

The Andean Sanctuaries Museum has had a great impact in promoting the cultural richness of Arequipa and in tourism in the region. The exhibition of Juanita and other archaeological finds has aroused great interest nationally and internationally, attracting visitors from all over the world to learn about the history and culture of the Incas. The museum has contributed to increasing awareness and appreciation of Peru's archaeological heritage and has helped foster research and study of the Inca civilization.