Museo Santury

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Lonely Planet review

Officially called the Museo de la Universidad Católica de Santa María, this museum exhibits the frozen body of an Incan maiden - 'Juanita, the ice maiden' - sacrificed on the summit of Nevado Ampato over 500 years ago. Tours consist of a video, an examination of burial artifacts, then a respectful viewing of the frozen mummy preserved in a carefully monitored glass-walled exhibition freezer.

Juanita is not on display from January to April - another child sacrifice discovered in the mountains around Arequipa takes her place. Only guided visits are permitted and the whole spectacle is done in a respectful, non-ghoulish manner. Allow about an hour for a visit.