The white city of Arequipa

Arequipa is known as the White City due to its architecture built with white volcanic stone, called ashlar, which is weather resistant and anti-seismic. Its use begins at the end of the 16th century. This volcanic stone (caused by the settling of ash) is white or exceptionally pink. Its texture is soft, light and weather resistant, which is why it emerged as a privileged anti-seismic structural solution and a great alternative to adobe. It is extracted from quarries located in natural streams located in the province of Arequipa.

Thus, for this reason, we can see large ashlar constructions in the streets of Arequipa, such as arches, pools, temples, convents, museums, banks, institutional headquarters, as well as hotels and restaurants that give it a particular stamp.

Photo: Central Cathedral of Arequipa and Misti volcano

The historic center of Arequipa is considered by UNESCO as part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity, due to the mixture of two cultures and for being able to create structures that last over time. The Historic Center of Arequipa is also recognized for being framed by the countryside, its lung.

The Ministry of Culture also declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation The Knowledge and Techniques of Extraction and Carving of Sillar in the City of Arequipa.

Arequipa is a beautiful city located in the south of Peru, in the province and department of the same name. Known as the 'White City'. Arequipa is a jewel that will make you fall in love forever. It is the second most populous city in Peru, after the capital Lima, and has a population of 1,008,290 inhabitants according to data from the 2017 National Census.

Founded on August 15, 1540, it is a city with a great historical legacy, which captivates visitors thanks to its surprising architecture. Well, the historic buildings of the city are a great example of the fusion of European and Andean architecture.

Today, this metropolis, which functions as the capital of both the province and the department of the same name, is an interesting destination chosen by tourists from all over the world to closely appreciate the Peruvian past and culture. Travelers have the opportunity to visit an impressive historic center that has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and be surprised by the attractive spaces that are around it.

The Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, the Municipal Historical Museum, the Goyeneche Palace, the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena and the House of Tristán del Pozo are just some of the sites that every visitor should visit to learn about the history, religious profile and the architectural riches that the city treasures.

The Arequipa region has been populated since before the Inca times. Nomadic groups and peoples such as the Collaguas, the Chimbas and the Yarabayas inhabited this area.

Starting in 1170, the Incas settled in these lands and exercised their dominion. In 1540 the Spaniards managed to settle down to found the city, with Juan de la Torre and Díaz Chacón and Garcí Manuel de Carbajal as the main leaders and under the orders of Francisco Pizarro.

On August 15, 1540, Don Garcí Manuel de Carvajal, Lieutenant of Governors and Governor, by order of the Conqueror Don Francisco Pizarro, founded the Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Arequipa in the place called La Chimba (San Lázaro) at the left bank of the river. Being among the founders and neighbors, some Andalusian, Extremaduran and Castilian nobles and hidalgos, the town was immediately elevated to the category of city on September 22, 1541.

The activity that soon became predominant was agriculture; The vine and the olive tree had been acclimatized with great success, and soon a prosperous production of wines and grape spirits, as well as olive oil, began, especially in the Yauca area.

By using ashlar, a type of volcanic stone abundant in the region, in constructions, the viceregal city began to acquire its characteristic appearance, gradually filling itself with majestic landlord mansions, beautiful temples, and monumental convents, such as Santa Catalina.

When the first winds of independence began to blow, many Arequipeños from illustrious Creole families joined the cause, even in an inauspicious environment, linking up with patriotic societies in Argentina and other countries.



Uno de los sucesos más notables de la gesta emancipadora fue la campaña del cuzqueño Mateo García Pumacahua, quien salió hacia Arequipa en octubre de 1814 con un ejército de más de 5 mil hombres; tras derrotar a las filas realistas que comandaba el mariscal Francisco Picoaga, entró triunfante a la Ciudad Blanca y formó una junta provisional de gobierno.

Actualmente Arequipa mantiene su liderazgo económico en el sur del país y es una pujante urbe donde se concentran comercio, servicios, agricultura e industrias, aunque la lechera atraviesa por una momentánea retracción. Ha esta ciudad le fue muy bien en crecimiento y economía, la historia y el tiempo al final dan sus buenos frutos. Arequipa hoy en día tal vez es la segunda ciudad más importante del Perú después de Lima.

Arequipa is the perfect destination to enjoy a vacation full of nature, adventure, history and delicious cuisine. Named Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this city is, without a doubt, one of those places that you have to visit at least once in your life. Here we leave you 10 tourist places in Arequipa that you should know.

1. Misti volcano

Arequipa has one of the most impressive destinations for the most daring travelers: El Misti, a 5,822-meter volcano, over 800,000 years old and one of the 16 active and potentially active volcanoes in Peru. If you are looking for a maximum adventure plan, we recommend you make the ascent to the Misti Volcano, a two-day journey surrounded by incredible landscapes, camping at more than 4,000 meters above sea level and with a totally unique arrival at the finish line: the view from the Misti crater.

Picture: Misti Volcano Arequipa Peru

2. St. Catherine's Monastery

In the heart of the city of Arequipa is one of the great architectural works of colonial Peru. It is the Santa Catalina Monastery, a cloistered convent built in the 16th century and which has more than 20,000 square meters that you can explore from end to end. Its colorful streets, its interesting history and its amazing architecture have made the Santa Catalina Monastery one of the main tourist places in Arequipa.

Picture: St. Catherine's Monastery

3. Yanahuara city sigth

If you are one of those who like to have a 360 view of the city you visit, you have to visit the Yanahura Viewpoint. Located in the picturesque district of the same name, this viewpoint offers one of the most spectacular views of Arequipa, with the city at the foot of its three most representative volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. In addition, another of the attractions of this place are its characteristic white ashlar arches, in which you can read phrases of famous people from Peru.

Picture: Yanahuara city sigth & Misti

4. Colca Canyon

One of the main tourist destinations in Peru; also, considered one of the deepest canyons in the world; This tourist center offers spectacular landscapes, archaeological remains, small colonial towns and the most interesting and important thing is the flight of Andean condors at dawn with the reflection of the sun under the blue sky.

To appreciate everything that the Colca Canyon offers, you must travel to the Colca Valley located 151 kilometers from the White City of Arequipa and for a three-hour trip by bus, it is normally advisable to rest one night in the Colca Valley (Chivay ) to appreciate the fabulous flight of the condors.

Photo: Condor Viewpoint, Colca Canyon

5. Choqolaqa Stone Forest

The Choqolaqa Stone Forest looks like a landscape from another planet, the scene of a Hollywood Martian fiction or even a surreal painting by Dalí. It is also known as Nueva Arequipa, and the legend says that one day its inhabitants stopped respecting their Apus and as punishment everything turned to stone.

6. The quarries of Sillar

The city of Arequipa is known for its ashlar-based constructions. This whitish-colored rock was used by the Incas for sacred buildings and, later, by the Spanish to build houses and churches. Thus, due to the use of ashlar, Arequipa is known as the White City. By visiting the Ruta del Sillar, you will be able to discover the way in which this material was worked, which, due to the beauty and particularity of the works, will leave you impressed.

7. Arequipa Main Square

The main square of Arequipa, is located in the Historic Center, is one of the main public places of the White City, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Peru and all of Latin America, surrounded by the main cathedral of Arequipa to the north. , the three portals to the east, south and west; the church of the company to the south-east and in the center of the main square presents a beautiful bronze fountain with three plates crowned with the figure of a 16th century soldier.

1. Virgin of Chapi in Arequipa

Date: May 1
The festival of the Virgin of Chapi is a Christian celebration that is very well received in the town of Arequipa. Her cult in this area has its origin almost three centuries ago and her key and central festival is every year on May 1, although there are towns where the date is movable and shares the stage with other Marian representations.

2. Anniversary of the Spanish Foundation of the City of Arequipa in Arequipa

Date: August 15
The City of Arequipa was founded by the Spanish in the year 1540, on August 15. From then on, annually, on the eve of said date, Arequipa dresses up to celebrate its anniversary.

There is a program that varies each year, but within which, in general, the festivities begin a week in advance. Among the events that are for the opening day are: A parade, which runs through the main avenues of the city.

3. Anniversary of Cotahuasi in Arequipa

Date: May 4
El aniversario de Cotahuasi es una importante celebración que en la actualidad se encuentra comprendida dentro de la Semana Turística de Cotahuasi y que tiene como fecha clave el día 4 de Mayo, fecha en la que se conmemora y festeja la creación política de la provincia de La Unión, a la que pertenece el distrito de Cotahuasi, en Arequipa.

Es común en la celebración encontrar diferentes ferias, además de las gastronómicas. Sobre estas otras, estas pueden ser ferias artesanales, aunque también existen exhibiciones de las danzas típicas de la zona, estas se dan en los corsos o también en el llamado “Llacta Tupay de la Reserva Paisajística de Cotahuasi”.

4. Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Arequipa

Date: December 8
The feast of the Immaculate Conception is a world religious festival, but it presents an interesting way of celebrating within the department of Arequipa, specifically in the areas of Arequipa (city), Chuquibamba and Cayma where it is called "Mamita Conchita" since the apparition of the first statue back in the 18th century when it was brought by a group of Spanish soldiers and left in place at the request of the inhabitants of Chuquibamba. The festival is important for the number of parishioners it gathers, as well as for being able to appreciate in it the assimilation of a western tradition in a town with Andean influences.

5. Chuquibambino Carnival in Arequipa

Date: first Saturday of February
The Chuquibamba carnival is a colorful and fun celebration held in the district of the same name, within the province of Condesuyos, in the department of Arequipa. Like all carnivals, it has a movable date, but it can be followed according to the calendar, and the last time it took place during the period between February 27 and March 6, although the city has been in carnival since the first February with the traditional water games that are inevitable in the country.

Photo: Pisco Sour