Things to see and do Arequipa

From its foundation in 1579 until its opening to the public in 1970, the monastery lived jealously closed in on itself; even today, it houses a few nuns who have taken their vows of total isolation. Wealthy families sent their daughters there, along with a solid dowry that would add to the monastery's coffers. The first nun was Doña María de Guzmán. Widow of Diego Hernández de Mendoza, young, rich, beautiful and childless, she gave up all her possessions to live as a recluse. On September 10, 1579, the deed of foundation of the Monastery was signed on four plots of land belonging to the city and Doña María de Guzmán was named "first inhabitant and prioress". On October 2, 1580, during a solemn mass, Doña María was recognized as the founder and formally took the habit. The women who entered were Creoles, mestizos or even daughters of Inca dignitaries. In 1964 the monastery received its first Spanish nuns. In 1582 the monastery was seriously damaged by an earthquake and the nuns themselves repaired their cells. There is even an aspirant to sainthood, Sister Ana de Los Angeles, whose canonization never came to fruition. Born in 1604, she entered the monastery at the age of 3 to complete her education and was taken out of it at the age of 10 or 11 to be married. But a vision made her return to the Monastery of her own free will. She was prioress for a period of 3 years during which austerity was de rigueur. She is credited with 68 predictions, most of them about the imminent death of one of the other sisters or the unexpected healing of another. When she died in 1686, she was not embalmed because her body had a pleasant smell and ten years later when she was dug up, her body had not suffered any damage. Miracle healings are attributed to her post-mortem.

A visit to the place gives an idea of what this monastic life could have been like: tiny rooms-cells, a private kitchen and a room for the maid (also cloistered), painted in ochre, brown and red tones. The Zocodober plaza with its fountain, the blue and orange hues of the cloisters surrounded by arcades with innocent frescoes, however, add a note of cheerfulness. With its 20,000 square metres, this religious fortress is absolutely unique.

The vaults house an archaeological museum with pieces from the Chimú and Nazca cultures.

A guided tour in French is recommended. In the morning, the light falls wonderfully.

A very beautiful and spacious square, with a nice central fountain, palm trees, the immaculate cathedral in the background and the volcanoes in the distance. Very pleasant to sit there in the sun and watch the time go by. You can also see many locals who take their quarters there. Many photographers (with a film camera!) will offer you to immortalize the moment in front of the fountain with the cathedral in the background.

Once night falls, the cathedral lights up and often musicians bring out their instruments to liven up the early evening.

The Compañía represents the most complete form of 16th-century architecture. It is in the mixed baroque style of the Arequipa school and, together with the Cathedral of Puno, is its finest achievement. The lateral façade of worked stone shows Santiago (Saint James) in a characteristic attitude of killer of Moors. Don't forget to visit the sublime Capilla de San Ignacio with its polychrome dome entirely covered with plant, animal and mineral motifs.

Dating from 1739, this double cloister, where a stone fountain murmurs, shows galleries supported by elaborate pillars where cherubs flutter. Today it houses a shopping centre with many shops specialising in alpaca clothing and art galleries. A few restaurants and cafes/bars have also set up shop. Great view from the first floor, where you can walk around and even have a drink on the terrace. At the end of the courtyard, a small chapel with a beautiful painted ceiling. Not to be missed!

Entirely built (and rebuilt after earthquakes, the last of which, in June 2001, brought down one of its two bell towers) in sillar, a white volcanic stone, it displays its seventy columns, its three doors and its two lateral arches on a whole section of the plaza de Armas: the "facade" that one discovers is in fact only one of its sides. Inside, there are some interesting paintings and sculptures, a monumental altar made of Carrara marble, large organs made in Belgium and a pulpit carved in Lille by a certain Rigot.

This museum offers a lot of information on discoveries made in 1994 and 1995, including a mummy, Juanita, "the ice princess", discovered near Arequipa, on the summit of the Ampato volcano, by Johan Reinhardt. The mummy is now exposed in a refrigerated showcase. A 20-minute film on this discovery is shown. The collection is growing month by month and makes this museum, along with the Santa Catalina monastery, an essential part of the visit to the city. The guided tour is compulsory and free (available in French). Please allow for a tip.

This museum is nestled in the Carmelite Monastery (still in operation, even if you don't see the sisters). Very beautiful sunny interior patio. Numerous works of art from the colonial period: sculptures, gold and silverware, murals, furniture, decorative objects. We also discover the church, which is still a place of worship (sometimes you can hear the angelus). An interesting place to know better a period often forgotten by Peruvian museums.

This complex includes the Franciscan church, the convent and the small temple of the Tercera Orden. The Franciscan church has been shaken more than once by the hiccups of the earth. Inspired by the late Romanesque style, with reminiscences of Mudejar (Andalusian Arabic style), it has a white stone and red brick façade. As for the Tercera Orden church, one enters this large chapel through a stone door, worked in the purest Arequipa tradition.

A few cuadras from the plaza de Armas, you can come here and stroll around. A bit old-fashioned, but it is the refuge of young Peruvian couples... and children with a playground open on weekends from 9am to 4pm. There is a small zoo and even an artificial lake where rowers enjoy in their boats. A pleasant green space in the city centre. During Holy Week, the festival of traditional dishes and desserts takes place here and you can taste all the local specialities, with bands playing for the occasion!

Miraflores, for bullfighting.