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Altitude:
at 2.325m above sea level
History
The most common theory about the origin of the
name Arequipa is that long ago the Aymara
founded this place where they would build a
settlement. In their language, Aymara, "ARI"
means "summit" and "QUIPA" put back. In fact,
the majestic volcano "El Misti" looks from
Arequipa.
The Spanish reestablished the city on August 15,
1540. This date is still remembered by
festivities in and around Arequipa with
carnivals and fairs. The festivities take a week.
The climax of the festival is Aug. 14 with a
splendid firework on the Plaza de Armas.
Arequipa is located at an altitude of 2325 m in
the desert mountains of the Andes. This
beautiful city is built almost entirely of
ashlar, a kind of white volcanic stone. This is
why Arequipa is called the White City. With its
one million inhabitants, Arequipa is the second
largest city of Peru. The main location, the
Plaza de Armas is the most beautiful country.
The Cathedral is magnificent and shopping malls
are in colonial style. It is the city of eternal
spring.
Just south of the country, the department of
Arequipa has a varied landscape ranging from
snow-capped volcanoes and to the desert near the
coast. The town of that name is surrounded by
several volcanoes Misti, Pichu Pichu and
Chachani. Has the peculiarity of having large
white walls (due to the presence of a volcanic
rock called Sillar) as is also called "the white
city."
In Arequipa we see colonial style mansions and
several baroque churches. Its cobblestone
streets are lost monuments and buildings in
Spanish style, as well as squares and beautiful
courtyards. The Monastery of Santa Catalina
deserves special mention and is a must for
tourists.
Almost 4 hours of the city is the Valley and the
Colca Canyon, where they can appreciate the
typical corn, barley and wheat set as did the
Incas to use the land.
Historic buildings in Arequipa
The Company
A church that offered enough resistance against
earthquakes is "the Company". It is unknown when
this building was established. At the entrance
read 1698, but other parts of this Jesuit church
was built from 1654. Because of its odd style
for a visit to this church.
The Santa Catalina
By far the most interesting place to visit in
Arequipa is the convent of Santa Catalina. Built
as a town in a city in 1580 and expanded in the
17 century. This is probably the world's largest
monastery. 450 nuns lived for more than 400
years, had no contact with the outside world.
The inhabitants of Arequipa had no idea what
happened between the high walls of the complex.
There were many rumors and stories circulating
about people. Santa Catalina is wrapped in
mystery and silence until 1970 when a large part
of the convent opened its doors to the public.
Nuns still live in the northern area of the
complex.
Residents and tourists can freely visit the rest
of the complex, with or without a guide.
Everything was beautifully renovated and the
small streets and squares are full of colorful
flowers and the walls are painted in fresh ink.
The narrow streets brings you to the various
parts of the convent passing picturesque square
rooms with original furniture. You can still
smell the atmosphere of the Middle Ages in many
places, at the location where the nuns were
washing their clothes and extensive library with
an incredible collection of books. Unfortunately
the library is always open to the public.
Visiting Times:
The Convent of Santa Catalina is situated in the
street with the same name and is near the main
square.
La Recoleta
Chile River next to the Franciscan monastery is
located Recoleta. The original part was built
from 1648 and was completely rebuilt after the
earthquake of 1687. Inside is a library with
more than 20,000 books! The Franciscans were
known for studying and teaching all his life.
There are books of many centuries old. E oldest
book dates from 1494. They are works of art of
the period before and after the conquistadors
and can be visited. The missionaries imported
works of art and the Indians that were
manufactured in the jungle.
Visiting Hours:
The Recoleta, you can visit daily from 9 to 1
and from 3 to 5.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
National Parks
Is eternal snow on the peaks of "El Misti", the
"Chachani" and "Picchu Picchu". The coast is
only two hours from the west and east is the
surreal volcanic area of Arequipa is located. In
the park national "Pampa de cañihua" paste lots
of lamas and alpacas. The guanaco and vicuna are
also part of the landscape.
This plateau is situated in unlimited 3.800m.
The views are spectacular. Passing a small
village Viscachani of the mountain, the road
continues climbing to a plateau where little
grows 4.800m. A very tough grass that grows 2
inches a year and a brown and moss reproduces
the peripheral is the main vegetation. That few
animals have adapted to these heights, the
vicuna and llama, manage to eat.
Turning this plateau, brings in a valley where
the road goes downhill spectacular Chivay
village of the mountain. This place is the
largest city in the Colca Valley. Hotels and
restaurants offer beds and food. Next to Chivay
hot springs are water natural volcanic heated
water. About 600 years ago the Incas used this
water to cure all kinds of skin diseases due to
the green sulfur in the water. A simple but
ingenious system of canals bringing water to 72
° C large pools of 38 ° C. Swimming in this
water is relaxing and a recommended experience
while watching the huge mountains on the other
side of the Colca River.
The Colca Canyon
Chivay is at 160 km east of Arequipa and is the
darling of many tourists who go to the Colca
Canyon. In the area people are proud to call
this valley, the deepest in the world: a
mountain ridge to the summit at 3,200 m of river.
But this canyon is visited by many to see and
photograph the world's largest bird, the condor.
In the deepest place in the canon, you will see
the mysterious Toro Muerto. This cemetery of the
Wari Indian face is built on a 90 ° steep cliff.
It's hard to believe that these people brought
their deaths here. It's even hard work to get
there a professional climber. The dead were
buried in a fetal position, like all over Peru
in ancient times. "Men have to leave the world
as he came," they said in the Bible not written.
Ten kilometer farther upstream the way you get
to the "Cruz del Condor" where the Colca River
is the 1,200 m below. On the other side of the
valley is Mont Mismi with its summit located on
the Colca 3.200m. |
