|
|
|
Attractions in Arequipa
THE CATHEDRAL
This was built in 1621, but it was destroyed by a fire in 1844. The new temple was built on the burnt foundations, in a neo-Renaissance style, with large facade overlooking the Main Square flanked by two triumphant arches. In its interior, there is the main altar, also from the same era, designed by Italian sculptor Filippo Moratilla and of Carrara marble; the organ, manufactured in Belgium and prized at the Universal Fair of Paris, and the pulpit made of wood carved at the workshops of Buisine-Rigot, in Lile, France. CHURCH AND CLOISTERS OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS The church was built between 1595 and 1698. It consist of main structure, two side wings, a sanctuary and choir balcony. Inside there are carved-wood altars covered with gold leaf. In the old sacristy one finds the San Ignacio Chapel, the multi-colored walls of which vivaciously illustrate the tropical flora and wildlife. The cloisters, located next to the temple,. Were built in the 18th century. SAN FRANCISCO COMPLEX This is comprised of a public square, two temples (the Church of San Francisco and the Temple of the Third Order) a convent and the Fierro Foundation (where there is a museum and handicrafts market). The church of San Francsico, built in the 16th century, made of bricks and white lava stone (ashlar) has a rectangular layout comprised of three aisles, Crossing and chancel with a beatiful stone choir balcony. The convent has a library with over 20.000 books and an interesting picture gallery. SANTA CATALINA MONASTERY
Similar to a small city, it is really a unique place. The Monastery, which functioned as such during 400 years, was built in the 16th century. With over 20,000 m2, it is comprised of cloisters, the walls of which were enriched by murals, narrow streets with Spanish names, small cells, white volcano stone fountains, gardens, an impressive temple and a small picture gallery, It opened it's doors to the public in 1970 and it is one of the most importan attractions of the city. LA RECOLETA CONVENT
Situaded in the tradicional Antiquilla neighborhood, the convents was founded in 1648. It has several cloisters, which are a good example of Arequipa's Colonial arquitecture. There is the so-called Alcantarino, of a rectangular layout, which has been preserved in the best of conditions. It has a vast, and valuable library including 25,000 books from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, picture gallery with works from the School of Cusco, and the Amazonian Museum exhibiting objects from the intense missionary activity in the jungle during this period. CASA DEL MORAL (HOUSE OF THE MULBERRY TREE) Built or white volcanic stone (ashlar) in the mid 18th century, its name stems from an old mulbery tree, which stands in the house's yard to this very day. Its baroque facade displays carvings of puma heads, with snakes coming out of their mouths. The interior decoration is a magnificent sample of Colonial art, providing unity to the residence, with highly luxurious meeting rooms and furniture of those times. CASA TRISTÁN DEL POZO Built in the mid - 18th century, this is one of the beautiful grand old houses of Arequipa. It is a wonderfull ilustration of Arequipa's Colonial construccion, based on the use of white volcanic stone (ashlar), arched roofs and patios around which family life was centered. At present, it is the site of a financial intitution and home to a small museum and art gallery. SAN LÁZARO NEIGHBORHOOD This is the neighborhood where the city was founded by the Spaniards. Between narrow winding streets, Dominican priest founded a hermitage in 1538, wich later became a parish. Opposite a small square, there is a church built of ashlar stone, adorned with pots of geraniums, a popular arrangement in the old houses of Arequipa. HUASACACHE This is a town on the banks of the River Socabaya, where there is a Colonial house known as the Founder's Mansion, dating back to the 18th century. This house was well know because it was originally the property of Manuel García de Carvajal, the founder of Arequipa. A series of earthquakes in the area left the building in ruins, until it was restored in the 80's. Built entirely of ashlar stone, the mansion was owned by the Jesuits and it features a grand view of the River Socabaya. YANAHUARA
Traditional neighbordhood located 2 km away from the city's center, consisting of narrow cobblestone streets and old white volcanic stone houses with kitchen gardens and orchards. It features a peaceful square and one of the most important churches of mestizo regional art, built in 1750. From the viewpoint there is a magnificent, view of the city and of this three volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichi Pichu. CAYMA Located 3 km from the city center, Cayma offers a superb view of Arequipa. There is an interesting 18th century church, which history dates back, according to the available background, to a modest hermitage erected by the Dominican priests in 1544. SABANDÍA
This is a beatiful spot 8 km away from the city, surrounded by the Chachani and Misti Volcanoes. It has an interesting 18th century hydraulic mill with two water intakes which activate two grindstones. It was originally used for the preparation of wheat flour, corn flour and other cereals. It is a building of a rectangular layout, surrounded by high walls, with elevated buttresses and domes, located on the banks of a stream. YURA
This district located at the foot of the Chachani, 30 km away from the city, features thermal medicinal springs which are used since the time of the Incas. There are wells with sulfur water and others with ferruginous water. SALINAS AND AGUADA BLANCA NATIONAL RESERVE
Located 35 km nothwest of the City of Arequipa, it covers an area of 366,936 ha, where the flora, wildlife and geological forms are protected.
THE COLCA VALLEY One may find the impressive Colca Valley four hours north of
Arequipa. The climbing trail runs along the foot of the Chachani crossing plateus filled with ichu and yareta (plants of the Umbelliferae familiy commonly used as fuel) where alpacas and vizcachas wander. The higest point of the route is at 4.350 m.a.s.l.,from where it descends into the valley, made up of beautiful landscapes surrounding by terraces and snow-capped peaks. The Colca River meanders below, at a depth of 3,400m, making and snow-capped peaks. The valley has archaeological remains left by the Collagua, ancient inhabitants of the area, such as mysterious petroglyphs and caves, where they stored the colcas or containers where they kept their cereals. Fourteen towns are distributed on both sides of the river. They were founded in the 16th century to gather the Collagua descendants who were dispersed in the area. In spite of the time gone by, these towns have preserved their original features, such as the layout of their streets, their richly adorned colonial churches and their tradicional festivals. Approximately 40km from Chivay, the first of such towns on the route, the incomparable natural Mirador of the Condors may be found, from where one can watch the flight of the condor, the Coropuna and Ampato Volcanoes, in the distance. Several of the towns offer accommodation, but one can also camp out and go for walks. The area of the Colca is ideal to practice adventure sports. COTAHUASI Cotahuasi is an inter-Andean valley which is located 12 hours away, by car, from Arequipa, where spread out tradicional towns may be found, as well as a group of hot springs, the Sipia waterfalls and the geological faults of the Canyon one of the deepest in the worlds. Its landscape is impressive due to the view of the snow-capped mountains of Coropuna and Solimana. This is an ideal area in which, to practice adventure sports, such as mountain cycling, trekking, mountain climbing (Andinism) and river rafting, among others. ANDAHUA: VALLEY OF THE VOLCANOES Located in the north of the Province of Castilla, its unique beauty lies in the dozens of dormant volcanoes, the most outstanding being those known as Los Gemelos located 10 km away from the Town of Andahua. South of this town, there is the Andomarca Volcano with a pre-Colombian citadel at its foot. In general, the volcanoes can be visited by foot, which is a good excuse to go trekking. TORO MUERTO PETROGLYPHS Either on the way back from Colca through Pampa de Sihuas or directly from Arequipa three hours away, by car, taking the route towards Lima and making a detour of 7km opposite Corire, the amazing Toro Muerto Petroglyphs can be found. These are petrocarvings depicting birds, mammals, reptiles and anthropomorphic and geometrical figures. Volcanic rocks may be observed, dispersed over a large area, most probably as a result of the violent eruptions of the Coropuna and Chachani Volcanoes. CAVES AND STONE FOREST OF SUMBAY These are located behind the Misti Volcano, 88km away from the city of Arequipa following the road to Cailloma. The average altitude is 4,127 m.a.s.l. and the landscape is typically Puna. The archaeological importance of the place lies in its caves exhibiting valuable paintings from the Paleolithic era, with figures, of human beings, South American camelidae and pumas, among others. STONE FOREST OF IMATA This is a number of natural stone formations which by action of the wind have taken on the appearance of a mysterious petrified forest. This site is easily accessed and is located close to the Arequipa-Juliaca railway and road to Juliaca.
|
|
