Religious, Spiritual sights in Peru
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Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Even if you’ve already overdosed on colonial edifices, this convent shouldn’t be missed. Occupying a whole block and guarded by imposing high walls, it is one of the most fascinating religious buildings in Peru. Nor is it just a religious building – this 20,000-sq-meter complex is almost a citadel within the city. It is a disorienting place with twisting passageways, ascetic living quarters, period furnishings and religious art – a photographer’s paradise.
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Iglesia de Santo Domingo
The church of Santo Domingo is most famous as the site of Qorikancha, which was Cuzco's major Incan temple. It has twice been destroyed by earthquakes, in 1650 and 1950, as well as being damaged in the 1986 earthquake - photographs in the entrance show the extent of the 1950 damage. Also in the entrance is a doorway carved in Arabic style - a reminder of the centuries of Moorish domination in Spain.
The remains of the Incan temple are inside the cloister. Colonial paintings around the outside of the courtyard depict the life of Santo Domingo (Saint Dominic) and contain several representations of dogs holding torches in their jaws - these are God's guard dogs (dominicanus …
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Iglesia de la Compañía
Just off the southeast corner of the Plaza de Armas, this Jesuit church, one of the oldest in Arequipa, is noted for its ornate main facade and main altar, which is carved in the churrigueresque style (an intricate decorative motif popular during the late Spanish baroque period) and completely covered in gold leaf. To the left of the altar is the San Ignacio chapel, with a polychrome cupola smothered in junglelike murals of tropical flowers, fruit and birds, among which mingle warriors and angels.
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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. To reach Cayma from Yanahuara, walk along San Vicente and then take Av León Velarde, or catch one of the regular combis (minibuses) marked ‘Cayma’ from Av Puente Grau (S1, 15 minutes).
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Town Cemetery
East of the Plaza de Armas, the Town Cemetery has a few hidden secrets. Taxi drivers like to tell the story of 19th-century Englishwoman Sarah Ellen Roberts, a suspected vampire whose body was refused by all graveyards until Pisco was paid handsomely to bury it. Before dying, she boasted that she would rise again after 100 years - though much to everyone's disappointment in 1993, she didn't.
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Iglesia San Juan Batista
Turn right on Av Lima and walk five blocks to a small plaza, where you’ll find the Iglesia San Juan Batista, which dates from 1750. 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.
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Puno Cathedral
On the western flank of the Plaza de Armas, Puno's baroque cathedral was completed in 1757. While its facade is well-sculptured, the interior is surprisingly spartan apart from the silver-plated altar that, following a 1964 visit by Pope Paul VI, had a Vatican flag placed to its right.
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Iglesia de San Francisco
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 quakes.
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Iglesia de la Merced
The Iglesia de la Merced , built in the 17th century, has a striking organ and cupola. Uniquely, an altar here is painted on the wall, an economical shortcut when funds ran out for a more traditional gold or carved-wood alternative.
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Iglesia de La Merced
Ica’s cathedral, Iglesia de La Merced, was rebuilt in the late 19th century and contains a finely carved wooden altar, though the effects of the 2007 earthquake are clearly visible in its crumpling steeple.
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cathedral
Chiclayo's cathedral was built in the late 19th century, and the nearby Plaza de Armas (Parque Principal) wasn't inaugurated until 1916, which gives an idea of how new the city is by Peruvian standards.
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Santuario de El Señor de Luren
The Santuario de El Señor de Luren boasts an image of the patron saint that is venerated by pilgrims during Semana Santa and again in October.
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Iglesia de Santo Domingo
Iglesia de Santo Domingo is an interesting church near the Plaza de Armas.
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Iglesia de San Francisco
The hulking Iglesia de San Francisco has some fine stained-glass windows.
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Iglesia de Santa Ana
Iglesia de Santa Anais an interesting church near the Plaza de Armas.
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Iglesia de la Compañia
Iglesia de la Compañia is an interesting church near the Plaza de Armas.
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