Begin your tour of Arequipa and Santa Catalina Monastery on a high at the majestic Mirador de Carmen Alto, located across the Chilli River, where you can have a panoramic view of Arequipa. You will continue to the exclusive and traditional neighbourhood of Yanahuara, surrounded by streets built with cobblestones and where one of the flagship churches of Cuzco mestizo baroque was built in 1750.
From here, you will head downtown to visit the Plaza de Armas (undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in its genre), the Jesuit Church of the Compania de Jesus (1590), see the Cathedral from outside (built in the 17th century and completely rebuilt after several earthquakes) and the Monastery of Santa Catalina (Saint Catherine) an enclosed religious town that remains in use to this day. The monastery belongs to the nuns of the Dominican Second Order. It is built mostly in the Mudejar style, and is notable for its colourfully painted walls.
The monastery was founded by Maria de Guzman, a rich widow, and the tradition suggested that the second son or daughter of a family would enter the service of the Church. This monastery accepted mostly women from upper-class Spanish families who would pay a dowry for admission. The monastery came to house a maximum of 450 people, between nuns and servants.
Begin your tour of Arequipa and Santa Catalina Monastery on a high at the majestic Mirador de Carmen Alto, located across the Chilli River, where you can have a panoramic view of Arequipa. You will continue to the exclusive and traditional neighbourhood of Yanahuara, surrounded by streets built with cobblestones and where one of the flagship churches of Cuzco mestizo baroque was built in 1750.
From here, you will head downtown to visit the Plaza de Armas (undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in its genre), the Jesuit Church of the Compania de Jesus (1590), see the Cathedral from outside (built in the 17th century and completely rebuilt after several earthquakes) and the Monastery of Santa Catalina (Saint Catherine) an enclosed religious town that remains in use to this day. The monastery belongs to the nuns of the Dominican Second Order. It is built mostly in the Mudejar style, and is notable for its colourfully painted walls.
The monastery was founded by Maria de Guzman, a rich widow, and the tradition suggested that the second son or daughter of a family would enter the service of the Church. This monastery accepted mostly women from upper-class Spanish families who would pay a dowry for admission. The monastery came to house a maximum of 450 people, between nuns and servants.
This excursion includes a visit to the Lady of Ampato or Juanita Mummy at "Santuario de Altura del Sur Andino" Museum in the Santa Maria Catholic University of Arequipa. This mummified female was found on the Mount Ampato and dates back from the Inca times. She was sacrificed at 14 years old to honor the Apus over 500 years ago. She was buried with jewelry, food and pottery. The body of the Mummy Juanita is the best preserved pre-hispanic mommy on the planet. Her discovery amazes the science due to her perfect state of preservation.
Today you will be picked up from your hotel to enjoy the Sillar Route and discover the impressive Anashuayco Quarries, located a few minutes from the city of Arequipa, where hundreds of men and youngsters extracted the white volcanic rock -called sillar- with which much of the city is built. You can enjoy watching the extraction of quarry stones, while beautiful natural landscape surrounds you. After the visit, you will be taken back to your hotel. The tour can be done in the morning or afternoon.
