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The city of Arequipa is the capital of the department of the same name.
It is located at 1,009 km (625 miles) of the city of
Lima, in the
South mountain range of
Peru.
At 2,300 meters(7,545 feet) above sea level. Arequipa is well-known
as the "white city" because the sillar (white clay) is used for the
construction of most of the buildings.
Arequipa will take your breath away, and it is not just because of
the rarefied air. Arequipa is a beautiful city that had worked hard
to retain its provincial charm. The relaxed pace of this colonial
city high in the Andes is a welcome respite from the hustle and
bustle of Lima.
In
1549, a Spaniard wrote of the city, "the location and the climate of
the city are so good that it is reputed the healthiest and
pleasantest place to life." Nearly 450 years have passed and
Arequipa is still renowned as one of the few places in the world
that boasts a climate "of eternal springtime." Rarely is there a day
when the sun does not make an appearance.
Because of the volcanoes, the area is rich in ashlar, a soft
volcanic rock, that was used in the construction of the colonial
buildings. The white building material is the reason that Arequipa
is called the "White City". The city has made a conscious effort to
retain its colonial charm by restoring its colonial buildings.
Buildings that reflect the colonial architecture are used to house
shops, offices and banks.
The cathedral with its twin towers dominated the plaza. Often a
procession of the faithful exits the church and makes its way
through the streets. The most impressive church is just a step away
from the plaza. La Campania, a Jesuit church, took 45 years to
build. It is remarkable for the intricate ashlar carvings around the
entrances, and the altars of carved wood covered with gold leaf.
The pearl of Arequipa is the convent of Santa Catalina. As you
wander down a narrow walkway, or sit in one of the courtyards
surrounded by buildings of pink and coral, or admire the bright red
flowers silhouetted against the azure skies, you will feel wrapped
in the solitude and peace that welcomed so many women. The convent
became their life forever. Once they entered their only view of the
outside world was El Misti. It was often a refuge for wealthy women
who brought their serving maids with them.
The convent was founded in 1579 and remained sealed against the
world for nearly 400 years. When a new convent was built, the old one
was restored and opened to the public in 1970. Santa Catalina is
really a typical village of the 16th Century. It has houses,
streets, cooking area, a bakery, cloisters, a church and the
traditional isolated cells all frozen in the 16th Century.
About five miles from town is a small recreation area popular with
the local people. Besides the small ponds, restaurant and horseback
riding, Sabandia has a restored mill that dated from the 18th
Century. The mill is in working condition and a popular tourist
stop. The countryside around Arequipa is beautiful. Terraces built
by the Inca and possibly pre-Inca people are still farmed in the
traditional manner. The ideal climate and irrigation allows the
fertile countryside to be farmed the year around. The melting snows
atop the nearby volcanoes provide the much needed irrigation water.
People who suffer from the effects of 'soroche', or altitude sickness,
might want to try mate de coca. The tea made from the leaves of the
coca plant is non-addicting and non-narcotic and reputed to relieve
the effects of being at altitude. In fact, Arequipa is a good place
to become acclimated before going to places at a higher altitude,
such as
Puno
and Lake Titicaca on the altiplano or
Cusco.
The Arequipa area offers adventure tourism opportunities from white
water boating to bird watching. The nearby Colca Valley, famed for
its condors, is a popular destination, but river running is only for
the experts. The Colca Canyon at 10,000 feet, is the deepest canyon
in the world and is becoming a favorite destination for the
adventurous.
Although the Arequipa has grown to the second most important city in
Peru it still retains its distinctive colonial character and charm.
A visit to Arequipa is like a visit to Peru during its colonial
period. The beauty and serenity of Arequipa, the White City, will
not be quickly forgotten. |
