This is the page about Arequipa, called "The White City"
Arequipa known as the "White City", justly deserves its
nickname.Much of the city center is built of sillar, a white volcanic
stone. Three volcanoes, in fact, tower over the city; Chachani,
Misti, and Pichu Pichu.
Founded on 15 August 1540 by Manuel
Garcia de Carbajal, Arequipa is Peru's second largest city and
it is located at 2325 metres (8792 feet) above sea level, it is also
the capital of the department (equivalent to a state in USA).
The city commemorates the founding with a week-long fair.
The fireworks show in the Plaza de Armas are spectacular. The city
is filled with Colonial churches and mansions. Santa Catalina,
a restored convent established in 1579 and open to the public since
1970 is surrounded by imposing high walls; it is like a city within a
city. The nums who lived in that convent led a completed secluded life.
Currently they are confined to a small section, so the remaining is open
to the public for visiting.
The imposing Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, reconstructed in 1844,
La Compañia (Jesuit's church) on the south-eastern corner of
the Plaza de Armas is one of the oldest churches in Arequipa, and
withstood the earthquakes that shake this city quite often. San Francisco,
La Merced and some of the restored mansions (Casa del Moral and the
Casa de Tristan del Pozo) are also worth a visit.
To take a good look at the impressive Misti go to Yanahuara, a suburb
within a walking distance of the town centre. You have to pass the
Grau bridge (Puente Grau) over the Chili river, take Avenida Ejercito
and then calle Lima (Lima street) who leads to a small plaza.
The church located in that plaza is also worth to see it. In the same
area you find the picanteria Sol de Mayo, which is a restaurant who
serves typical dishes from Arequipa. I recommend Rocoto relleno (stuffed
hot red pepper covered with melted cheese) Also in this place you can
try the drink Chiccha, which are served in large glasses called bebes.
Not too far from Yanahuara is located Cayma, another suburb with a
historic church and nice sightseeing.
Transportation:
Airlines: Aero Continente has a flight from Lima to Arequipa every day.
Bus: Lima is 17 to 21 hours away by bus, depending the number of stops between
final destination. Serving this route are the following bus lines; Ormeņo, Sur Peruano and Cruz del Sur.
Most of them make stops in Ica, Nazca, Chala and Camana before arriving to
Arequipa.
