The
city of Arequipa, called "Ciudad Blanca" (white
city) for the color of the houses built with sillar (white
stone of volcanoes otigin), is a picturesque place that combines
the beauty of its green country side with the imposing prescense
of volcanoes and snowy mountains.
The city is surrounded by three volcanoes:
The Misti (5.822 m.a.s.l.). The Chachani (6.075 m.a.s.l.).
The Pichu Pichu (5.664 m.a.s.l.).
After Lima, it is considered the most
important city of Peru.
It is interesting to visit:
The Monastery of Santa Catalina,
impressive religious monument founded in 1579, considered
a master-piece of colonial architecture and unique in the
world. Until 1970, this little city of 20.426 square meters
remained stopped in time, it kept hidden to the world. After
400 years it was restored and opened to the public. It has
three cloisters with almost a hundred cells that form 6
streets and an alley, and it only has one plaza.
The Cathedral, made
entirely of sillar, is the main church of the city. Located
on a whole side of the Square of Arms. Its front has 70
columns, 3 doors and 2 big side-arches. It has real jewels
in images, sculptures and oil paintings from renowed artists.
Its main altar is made of marmor from Carrara (Italia) and
its wooden pulpit is a beauty, carved in France by the artist
Rigot and its organ made in Belgium. It has a complete museum
of religious art.
The Churches: De la
Compañia, De la Merced and San Francisco. Founded
by the Jesuits in the 17th., century are characterized by
its baroque architecture styles.
The convents and monasteries of Santa
Catalina, La Recoleta and Santo Domingo.
