Discover Arequipa: Architecture, Art and Cuisine

Arequipa combines a distinctive architectural history with art, religious sites and regional cuisine. The historic center is built from volcanic Sillar stone, where European and Indigenous building techniques and design features meet. The Chili River Valley is also part of the city’s character: the historic center fits into its natural and cultural surroundings, which include pre-Hispanic agricultural terraces and three snow-capped volcanoes in the surrounding area.

Sillar and the Heart of the City

Many historic buildings in the center date from the 18th century. Most are built from Sillar and are distinguished by round arches and vaulted roofs. Visitors interested in the development of architecture and the cityscape will find a tangible theme to explore in Arequipa: the interplay of different building techniques and the recurring use of volcanic stone.

The heart of the historic center is Plaza de Armas. Arcades, the town hall and the cathedral define its surroundings; the plaza is protected as both a monumental urban setting and a historic monument. At its center stands a bronze fountain with a figure called Tuturutú. The plaza therefore provides a distinctive landmark from which to take in the buildings and historic urban space.

Churches, Art and Monastic History

Southeast of Plaza de Armas is the Iglesia de la Compañía. It houses a collection of oil paintings by the Jesuits Bernardo Bitti and Diego de la Puente, who were influential during the Viceroyalty. A tourist route takes visitors from the façade through the interior and the chapel, and includes pre-Columbian art, among other works. Architecture, paintings and art from different contexts are distinct aspects of the visit.

The Complejo San Francisco includes the colonial church and cloister of the San Francisco Monastery, as well as the church and cloister of the Secular Third Order of Saint Francis. The complex also includes a library with 20,000 volumes and a collection of paintings. The Museo Franciscano opened in 2006 to introduce visitors to Franciscan culture; its exhibits include religious works of art and objects in the Pinacoteca de la Inmaculada Concepción.

The Monasterio de Santa Catalina de Siena offers another perspective on religious history. It was built in 1580 as a fully enclosed convent for nuns and is a small walled religious citadel with cloisters, squares and streets. Tiled roofs and paved floors are part of its described appearance. Visitors interested in monastic complexes can make this a distinct focus alongside Arequipa’s churches and collections.

Museums and Everyday Life in Arequipa

The Museo Arqueológico José María Morante Maldonado is housed in a historic Sillar building constructed at the end of the Viceroyalty and declared part of the Nation’s Cultural Heritage. The museum’s location thus connects the use of a historic building with its archaeological focus.

Mercado San Camilo offers a different perspective on the city, bringing together history, architecture and everyday life in Arequipa. The market serves typical foods such as queso helado, buñuelos, adobo dominical, rocoto relleno and caldos. For travelers who want to discover regional cuisine as well as historic buildings, this focus complements the cultural impressions with specific local dishes.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip

When looking for accommodation, you can start by considering what you would most like your stay to focus on: the architecture of the historic center, religious art and monastic history, or food and market life. These different themes offer pointers to the local surroundings that may matter when choosing a holiday apartment for your trip. This way, you can discover Arequipa not only through individual sights, but also through the aspects that interest you most.

For the overview of the wider trip: Arequipa.