About Arequipa

Arequipa in its Pre-Incas period was a valley populated by natives and as the tales say in the Inca 's time, a new group of travelers requested permission to stay in the valley, the request was granted using the quechua words Ari Quipay which in English means Yes Stay , and that is the origin of the name.

In 1540 the Spaniards founded the city with the actually known name and ever since that time the city has grown to become the second largest city in the country. Its construction realized in a colonial enclave using mostly the sillar which is a volcanic stone obtained from the lava of the eruptions of her watching and majestic volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichupichu which surround it.

It was recognized as World cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2001

At present, the city maintains colonial characteristics in its buildings and is recognized as the most important and significant in South America . The Santa Catalina and Santa Teresa Monasteries, the convent and museum of La Recoleta, the main square with the Cathedral (recognized as an architectonic monument and one of the first religious centers of the XVII century), the Casa del Moral, the Casa Ricketts, the Cloisters and the Church of La Compañia de Jesus, and many other traditional historic monuments confirm this.

On the other hand, in the surroundings of the city there are the ancient water mills of Sabandia, the stone and sillar terraces in the fields, the Fundador Mansion , the Goyeneche House, the old villages of Yanahuara, Cayma, Paucarpata, and Sabandia.

Each one of these has its own charming main square and church with its city hall and overlooking balconies which will transport you to a dream world at the sight of the churches or the fields with the purple colors of the light at sunset or with the exuberant bright light of mid day.

Also we have at a relative short distance the famous and well known Colca Canyon , the Yura thermal pools, the Cotahuasi Canyon , and the Mejia Migratory Bird Sanctuary on the Coast and the Salinas Reserve in the high lands.

And to enjoy this and much more, you have its wonderful sunny dry mild weather year long and our famous traditional Arequipenian cuisine which will make your visit to our city an unforgettable experience

> Arequipa location in South América

> The Unesco Document (Original) about Arequipa City

> Published Articles