Arequipa: 5 curious facts you didn’t know about the White City.

Why is Arequipa called the “White City”?

Arequipa is known as the “White City” because of sillar, a white or cream-colored volcanic stone used to build most of its colonial buildings. This material comes from quarries formed by nearby volcanoes and gives the city its distinctive bright appearance.

Sillar not only defines Arequipa’s aesthetic, but also has thermal properties that help keep buildings cool during the day and warm at night, perfectly adapting to the region’s climate.

The Three Volcanoes of Arequipa

Arequipa is surrounded by three volcanoes that dominate the city’s landscape:

El Misti: The most iconic volcano of Arequipa. Standing at 5,822 meters (19,101 ft), its perfect cone shape can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Its name comes from the Quechua word “Mismi,” meaning “lord.” It is an active volcano, although its last recorded eruption was in 1784.

El Chachani: At 6,057 meters (19,872 ft), it is the tallest of the three. Its name means “the one with a skirt” in Quechua, referring to its wide base. It is considered one of the most accessible 6,000-meter peaks in the world for mountaineers.

El Pichu Pichu: Reaching 5,664 meters (18,583 ft), its name means “peak peak” in Quechua. It is an extinct volcano that completes the trio of giants surrounding the city.

These volcanoes are not only part of the landscape, but have shaped Arequipa’s history, culture, and identity. The sillar used in construction comes from their quarries, making them true symbols of the city.

Santa Catalina Monastery

The Santa Catalina Monastery was founded in 1579 by the Dominican order. For nearly 400 years, it functioned as a cloistered convent for daughters of wealthy Arequipa families.

A city within a city: The monastery covers more than 20,000 square meters. It is like a small city, with cobblestone streets, plazas, gardens, chapels, and more than 100 cells. The streets are named after Spanish cities such as Seville, Granada, and Córdoba.

Each nun lived in her own cell, which were actually small houses with a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and servant’s room. Wealthier families built luxurious cells with imported furniture and elaborate decorations.

Opening to the public: The monastery remained completely closed to the outside world until 1970, when it was opened to the public for the first time. Today, around 20 nuns still live in a private section, while the rest operates as a museum.

The monastery’s walls are painted in intense colors such as indigo blue and ochre red, creating striking contrasts with the white sillar stone. It is one of the best-preserved colonial convent complexes in the Americas.

Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon, located about 3–4 hours from Arequipa, is one of the deepest canyons in the world, reaching more than 3,400 meters (11,155 ft) deep. It is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States.

The Colca Valley is famous for being the best place to observe the Andean condor in its natural habitat. The Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint is the most visited spot, where these majestic birds fly very close to visitors using the morning thermal currents.

The valley is also home to traditional villages with pre-Inca agricultural terraces still in use, hot springs, and living cultures that preserve ancestral traditions.

Arequipa Cuisine

Arequipa’s cuisine features unique dishes not found in other regions of Peru:

Rocoto Relleno: A spicy rocoto pepper stuffed with ground meat, raisins, peanuts, and cheese, baked and served with potato gratin.

Arequipeño Adobo: Pork marinated in chicha de jora and spices, slowly cooked. Traditionally eaten on Sunday mornings.

Shrimp Chupe: A creamy soup made with river shrimp from the Colca Valley, potatoes, eggs, milk, and spices.

Ocopa Arequipeña: Boiled potatoes covered with a sauce made from huacatay (Andean herb), yellow chili pepper, peanuts, and fresh cheese.

Why do people say Arequipa is “another country”?

People from Arequipa are known for having a very strong regional identity. This popular saying reflects several characteristics:

Regional pride: Arequipeños are known for their strong sense of identity and pride in their city, with distinctive expressions, accents, and customs.

History of rebellion: Arequipa played a leading role in several revolutions and uprisings throughout Peruvian history, even declaring independence multiple times during the 19th century.

Geographic isolation: Surrounded by deserts, volcanoes, and mountains, Arequipa was historically isolated from the rest of the country, contributing to its unique identity.

Climate and lifestyle: Arequipa enjoys sunny weather almost all year round, very different from Lima or the highlands, and has a more relaxed pace of life.

Characato: The Traditional District

Characato is a district located about 10 kilometers from downtown Arequipa. It preserves a rural and traditional atmosphere that contrasts with the city’s modernity.

The district is famous for its picanterías, traditional restaurants serving classic Arequipa dishes cooked over firewood, usually located in old sillar houses with spacious patios.

Characato maintains its colonial architecture with cobblestone streets, adobe and sillar houses, and a main square surrounded by trees. The Church of San Juan Bautista, built in the 17th century, is its main architectural attraction.

The area is also known for its chicherías, where traditional chicha de jora (fermented corn drink) is served. Many locals visit Characato on weekends to enjoy traditional food in a countryside setting.

Arequipa and Earthquakes

Arequipa is located in a highly seismic zone due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. The city has experienced destructive earthquakes throughout its history.

1868 Earthquake: One of the most devastating in Peru’s history, destroying much of the city and triggering a tsunami along the coast. Many colonial buildings had to be rebuilt.

2001 Earthquake: With a magnitude of 8.4, it mainly affected the regions of Arequipa and Moquegua, causing significant damage to historic buildings and homes.

Despite frequent earthquakes, sillar constructions have proven to be highly resistant. Due to its porous and lightweight composition, sillar has excellent anti-seismic properties. Today, strict construction regulations and prevention programs are in place.

With Machu Picchu Viajes Peru, you can discover Arequipa and its most important attractions. We offer packages that include visits to the Santa Catalina Monastery, Colca Canyon, volcanic viewpoints, and traditional picanterías. Contact us to create your itinerary.