Showing 1-7 of 7 results
-
Iglesia de la Compañía
Just off the southeastern corner of the Plaza de Armas, the Iglesia de la Compañía is one of the oldest Jesuit churches in Arequipa and is noted for its ornate main façade and main altar, which is carved in churrigueresque style (an elaborate and intricately decorated Latin American adaptation of Spanish baroque) and completely covered in gold leaf.
-
Iglesia de San Francisco
Visiting hours for smaller churches in Arequipa are erratic, but most are open for sincere worshippers from to and to . Originally built in the 16th century, Iglesia de San Francisco has been badly damaged by several earthquakes. It still stands, however, and visitors can see a large crack in the cupola - testimony to the power of the quakes. Other colonial churches around the city center include San Agustín, La Merced and Santo Domingo.
-
Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel
In the inner suburb of Cayma you'll find the eye-catching Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel , dating from 1730. For a tip, the church warden may take you up the small tower, which has panoramic views.
-
Iglesia San Juan Batista
The Iglesia San Juan Batista dates from 1750. It housed the highly venerated Virgen de Chapi after the 2001 earthquake brought her small-town church tumbling down about her ears. The popular Fiesta de la Virgen de Chapi is held on May 1. At the side of the plaza there's a mirador (lookout) with excellent views of Arequipa and El Misti.
-
Monasterio de la Recoleta
This musty monastery was constructed on the west side of the Río Chili in 1648 by Franciscan friars, though it has since been completely rebuilt. Scholarship was an integral part of the Franciscans' order, and bibliophiles will delight in their huge library, which contains more than 20,000 dusty books and maps; the oldest volume dates back to 1494.
-
Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Occupying a whole block and guarded by imposing high walls, this convent is one of the most fascinating colonial religious buildings in Peru. But it's not just a building - the huge complex is almost a citadel within the city. It's a disorientating place - a forgotten world of narrow twisting streets and tiny fruit-filled plazas, hidden staircases, beautiful courtyards and ascetic living quarters.
-
Paucarpata
The rural suburb of Paucarpata , about 8km southeast of the city center, makes a pleasant country escape. Combis can be caught along Goyeneche, Independencia and Paucarpata, which is the eastern continuation of Mercaderes (25 minutes), or you can take a taxi. Paucarpata itself features an attractive colonial church on the main plaza and several good picanterías (local restaurants).
Showing 1-7 of 7 results
