Your Peru tours cannot be complete without a stop of a day or two in beautiful Arequipa, Peru's second largest city and probably one of the most beautiful. Known as the White City for its white washed buildings made of sillar, a local volcanic stone, Arequipa is home to many fascinating attractions that will without a doubt amaze you.
One of the most exciting sights of Arequipa is the spectacular Monasterio de Santa Catalina, a must-see on any traveler's list to Arequipa. This magnificent monastery, secluded behind gigantic adobe walls, was built in 1580 and extended in the 17th century, and covers more than 20,000 square meters.
Admire the architecture, predominantly from the Mudejar style, which reflects the fusion between Spanish and native influences, making this city and particularly Santa Catalina, a unique place. The walls are also adorned with vivid paintings. The convent itself is built with the local sillar stone, as well as ashlar, petrified volcanic ash from Volcano Chachani, which overlooks Arequipa.
Within the monastery, you will see an odd construction known as the citadel. This was built after a series of earthquakes destroyed much of the convent's properties. The citadel holds private cells for the nuns whose dormitories were damaged by natural elements. At one time, the monastery was home to over 450 nuns and their servants. Today, only 20 nuns remain, and the rest of the convent is open to the public.
Originally, residents were mainly criollas and daughters of curacas, Indian chieftains. Other women also entered the monastery to live as lay persons apart from the world. As time passed, the monastery grew to attract women of wealth and social standing who entered the novitiate or as lay residents. While outwardly renouncing the world and embracing a life of poverty, they actually enjoyed a very luxurious way of life until the mid-1800s when reform where implemented.
Try not to get lost in this enormous building, as you walk down narrow streets named for Spanish locales, pass through arched colonnades surrounding courtyards, some with fountains, flowering plants and trees. Linger in the several churches and chapels, or in one of the plazas comprising the monastery.
This guide to the Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less available to help you custom design exciting and adventurous Peru tours.
No comments:
Post a Comment