Arequipa The White City
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on November 18, 2022 by James Bustamante
Arequipeños (the People from Arequipa) are immensely proud of their local culture, a culture so strong and unique that Peruvians often joke that people need an official Arequipa passport instead of a Peruvian one to enter the region. Now, why is it “Arequipa the white city“? It is simply because it is almost entirely built out of clay or, as it is locally known, “sillar.”
What Is Sillar?
Sillar is a type of white volcanic clay used in several buildings in Arequipa. The material makes the structures stand out as an incredible example of colonial architecture with local materials. Let’s look at some of the cultural aspects you can visit.
The Maiden of Ampato
First up, the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries (Museo de Santuarios Andinos) is located a few minutes from the city center. Among its most significant attractions is the Ice Maiden of Mount Ampato, known as Juanita. She was discovered in 1995 by chance; the nearby volcano erupted and melted off a good portion of the surrounding glaciers.
What archaeologists found was spectacular as the body was so well preserved by the ice that you could still see skin, organs, and even facial features. It is considered to be one of the best-preserved mummies in the world. Be sure to go early as most museums close before 3 pm.
Cathedrals, Monasteries and Churches of Arequipa
Next is the Monastery of Saint Catherine (Monasterio de Santa Catalina). It was built around 1600 and has grown over the years, eventually becoming its own “city.” It used to be the place where high-ranking nobles and even kings would send their daughters, even reaching almost 450 nuns at one point. Nowadays, a small group of 20 nuns takes care of the Monastery. If you’re lucky, you might get a glimpse of them. The interior of the Monastery is beautiful, with painted arches and an interesting chapel with baroque frescoes of Inca vegetation. There are lots of flowers and orange trees around.
The Misti Volcano Seen From Arequipa “The White City”
If you’re looking for more adventure, you can check out the Misti Volcano. It stands at 5825m and is located 17km northeast of Arequipa, the white city, visible almost year-round, but especially during winter (April-December). The strangest thing about the Misti is that ancient people would send their dead (along with their belongings) into the crater. So far, six Inca mummies and rare Inca artifacts have been found during excavations at this site. The tour itself takes about two days, so be sure to go well prepared.
The Colca Canyon
If the Misti is a bit too much, you can take a full-day tour of the Colca Canyon. It is located about 160 kilometers northwest of Arequipa. The Canyon is ideal for adventure sports such as hiking, climbing, rafting, and mountain biking. However, once you reach its peak, you’ll see the incredible Andean Condor, one of the largest birds in the world, flying over the valley. Quite the sight to see. Remember your cameras!
Cuisine From Arequipa
Lastly, it would help if you tried their local cuisine, considered by many the best in Peru.
Be sure to check out some local “picanterias” (restaurants) and ask for ocopa (spicy potato dish), solterito de queso (cheese salad), Rocoto Relleno (stuffed peppers), chupe de Camarones (shrimp soup), and finally for dessert, Queso Helado, a type of local ice cream flavor. All these dishes are delicious and recommended when you visit Arequipa. You won’t regret it.
If you want to know more about Arequipa, Cusco, Machu Picchu Travel, or Peru tour packages, check out the rest of our blog posts at Peru Travel Blog, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our special packages.
