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Arequipa City - World Heritage Site Enhanced by its dramatic natural setting, Arequipa is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved colonial cities in South America, a status confirmed by its World Heritage listing in 2000. In a continent of beautiful plazas, Arequipa's manages to be something special. Water gushes from the central fountain or "Tuturutu", surrounded by Venetian-sized flocks of pigeons, while people relax under the shade of palms and jacaranda trees. Double-storied arcades of stone arches sweep around three sides of the plaza, and the other side is occupied by the magnificent cathedral, behind which rise Chachani's tryptych of snowcapped peaks. The cathedral was first constructed in xx but was It was rebuilt in 1868 in its current neo-renaissance style. In 2001 a massive earthquake inflicted considerable damage in Arequipa and surrounding areas, and toppled one of the towers of the cathedral, but this has since been repaired. On the other side of the plaza is La Compañia, one of the oldest churches in Arequipa. Northeast of the city centre, wandering up through narrow cobblestone streets that bring to mind Andalucia in Spain, one arrives at the barrio of Yanahuara. Here, from the palm-fringed plaza, there are magnificent views through arches of sillar over the city of Arequipa towards the imposing cone of El Misti. There are many other highlights in the central city, and it's worth taking some time to explore its romantic plazas, gardens and alleyways
Santa Catalina Monastery: Often described as the most fascinating religious building in South America, the Santa Catalina monastery is the largest convent on the continent and is a genuine "city within a city". Occupying several city blocks and surrounded by massive domes and walls of sillar, it features streets, plazas, orchards, kitchens, an outdoor laundry and an art gallery, in addition to the labyrinthine network of nuns' cells. The convent was established in 1580 and for 400 years was completely closed to the outside world. Up to 450 nuns lived in complete seclusion, bound to their vow of silence. In 1970 the Santa Catalina monastery was opened to visitors, who can now wander around the freshly painted courtyards. The convent has many stories, including that of Sor Ana de los Angeles (1604-1686). Sor Ana is credited with having performed miracles after her death, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1985. In the monastery you can view the report of a local doctor who testified to the cure of one of his patients from advanced cancer after having touched a garment belonging to Sor Ana.
TRADITIONAL AREQUIPA 04 days/ 03 nights
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