Discover the Historic Center of Arequipa

Historic Center of Arequipa: World Heritage Site

The Historic Center of Arequipa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2000. This recognition is due to its unique colonial architecture, built mainly with sillar, a white volcanic stone with a porous texture that is easy to carve and sculpt.

Sillar comes from quarries located on nearby volcanoes, especially Chachani. This material gives Arequipa its nickname, the “White City,” and creates a harmonious architectural ensemble unlike any other in Latin America.

Plaza de Armas of Arequipa

The Plaza de Armas, also known as the Main Square, is the heart of Arequipa’s Historic Center. It is surrounded by sillar arcades on three sides, while the fourth side is occupied by the Cathedral.

The square features a bronze fountain with three tiers, crowned by a 16th-century soldier figure known as “El Tuturutu.” At the corners of the square, well-maintained gardens with palm trees give it a tropical touch.

Important buildings around the square:

• The Cathedral: dominates one entire side of the square with its neoclassical façade
• Portal de Flores: home to cafés and restaurants under its arcades
• Municipal Portal: where the local government building is located
• La Compañía Church: located on one corner of the square

The Plaza de Armas is the main meeting point for locals and tourists. During the day, it serves as a commercial and social hub, while at night it is beautifully illuminated, creating a special atmosphere.

Arequipa Cathedral

The Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa occupies the entire northern side of the Plaza de Armas. It is one of the few churches in the world authorized by the Vatican to display the papal flag alongside the Peruvian flag on its façade.

History: The first cathedral was built in 1544 but was destroyed by fire. The current construction began in 1621 and was completed in the 17th century. It has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes, the most destructive occurring in 1868 and 2001.

Architecture: The cathedral features a neoclassical style with neo-Gothic influences. Its façade is entirely built of sillar. It has three main entrances and two lateral towers standing 43 meters (141 ft) high. Its design is unusual, as it occupies the entire front of the square instead of forming a corner.

Interior: Inside the cathedral is an impressive Belgian organ, the largest in South America, with more than 1,200 pipes. The main altar is made of Carrara marble imported from Italy. The naves feature very high vaults supported by sillar columns.

Cathedral Museum: It houses paintings from the Cusco School, gold and silver religious ornaments, embroidered liturgical garments, and religious artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries. One of its most valuable pieces is the crown of the Virgin of Chapi, adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and pearls.

Santa Catalina Monastery

The Santa Catalina Monastery is one of the most important colonial religious complexes in the Americas. It was founded in 1579 and functioned as a cloistered convent for nearly 400 years.

A city within a city: The monastery covers 20,426 square meters, equivalent to an entire city block. It features streets, plazas, chapels, kitchens, laundries, and more than 100 cells that once functioned as small houses.

The monastery’s streets are named after Spanish cities: Sevilla Street, Granada Street, Córdoba Street, and Toledo Street. They are painted in intense colors—ochre red (iron oxide) and indigo blue—which contrast with the white sillar stone.

Life in the monastery: Novices were required to pay a significant dowry. Each nun had her own cell with a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and servant’s room. Wealthier families built luxurious cells with up to three rooms and imported European furniture.

Opening to the public: The monastery remained closed to the outside world from 1579 until 1970, when it partially opened to visitors. Today, approximately 20 Dominican nuns still live in a private section, while the rest functions as a museum.

Highlighted areas:

• Orange Tree Cloister: a courtyard with fruit trees and a central fountain
• Laundry area: stone basins where the nuns washed clothes
• Colonial kitchens: with clay ovens and period utensils
• Art Gallery: a collection of paintings from the Cusco School
• Main Cloister: the convent’s principal courtyard

Andean Sanctuaries Museum

The Andean Sanctuaries Museum is located on the campus of the Catholic University of Santa María. Its main attraction is the mummy Juanita, also known as “The Lady of Ampato” or “The Ice Maiden.”

Discovery of Juanita: She was discovered in September 1995 by archaeologist Johan Reinhard and mountaineer Miguel Zárate at the summit of Mount Ampato (6,288 meters / 20,630 ft). The eruption of the Sabancaya Volcano melted part of the ice that preserved her, exposing her after more than 500 years.

Juanita was between 13 and 15 years old when she was sacrificed around the year 1450 as part of the Inca Capacocha ritual, which involved the sacrifice of selected children and youths on high mountains as offerings to the gods (apus).

State of preservation: She is one of the best-preserved mummies in the world thanks to freezing conditions at over 6,000 meters above sea level. This preservation has allowed detailed studies of DNA, stomach contents, tissues, and internal organs.

Museum display: Juanita is exhibited in a special cryogenic chamber kept at -19°C (-2°F). The museum rotates exhibits between Juanita and other mummies (such as Sarita and Urpicha) to prevent deterioration from constant exposure.

Other exhibits: The museum displays objects found with the mummies, including Inca textiles, ceramics, gold and silver figurines (capacochas), sandals, and ritual offerings, as well as information about archaeological expeditions to regional volcanoes.

La Compañía Church

The Church of La Compañía de Jesús is located on a corner of the Plaza de Armas. It was built by the Jesuits between 1590 and 1698 and is considered one of the masterpieces of mestizo baroque architecture in Peru.

Façade: Entirely carved in sillar with baroque designs featuring flowers, fruits, birds, and religious symbols. The side entrance (San Ignacio Gate) is especially elaborate with intricate carvings.

Dome: The church has an octagonal dome visible from various points in the city. It was rebuilt after the 1868 earthquake.

Cloisters: Today, the cloisters function as shopping galleries selling handicrafts, alpaca textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs. They preserve the original sillar arches and offer privileged views of the Misti and Chachani volcanoes.

Other Attractions in the Historic Center

San Lázaro Neighborhood: The oldest neighborhood in Arequipa, featuring narrow cobblestone streets and traditional alleyways such as “Solar Alley” and “Jerusalem Alley.” Ideal for walking and photography.

Casa del Moral: An 18th-century colonial mansion that now functions as a museum, noted for its baroque sillar-carved façade depicting a mulberry tree.

Casa Tristán del Pozo: Another 18th-century colonial mansion with a beautiful baroque façade. Today it houses an art gallery and cultural offices.

San Camilo Market: A traditional market designed by Gustave Eiffel (the same architect of the Eiffel Tower). It is the best place to try fresh juices, local fruits, and traditional Arequipa food.

With Machu Picchu Viajes Peru, you can explore the Historic Center of Arequipa with specialized guides who will show you the history and architecture of each monument. We offer tours that include the Cathedral, Santa Catalina Monastery, Andean Sanctuaries Museum, and the city’s main viewpoints. Contact us to create your itinerary.