The white city of Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru. This city has important business linkage with Brazil, Chile and Bolivia, and among its touristic wonders are important buildings in white volcanic stone, which have given the place its particular name.
First known as Villa de Nuestra Señora de Asunta de Arequipa, in 1540, the year it was founded by Spanish tenant Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, the white city of Arequipa honored Marquis Francisco Pizarro, an important ally in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Later, the name Arequipa came from king Carlos V, in 1541.
The department of Arequipa is part of the history of Peru as the cradle of rebellions, political movements and cultural, intellectual and religious wealth, which affected even the most remote regions of this South American nation.
The historical city center of Arequipa is a Peruvian stronghold, with its physical structures that represent real jewels from the pre-columbine, colonial and republican past. It has 332 hectares and was considered part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2000.
With over 5000 buildings, the historical center of Arequipa is made of religious, military, civil/public and civil/cultural monuments, which were built since the time of the colony.
The main characteristic of the white city of Arequipa is the white volcanic stone buildings. These white volcanic stones are the bases of houses and official buildings, and that’s what has given this place its name of “White City”.
Using these stones was necessary, because in 1582, they discovered that these stones are earthquake resistant. Therefore, the lime and mud in their first buildings were replaced by white volcanic stones, thanks to its lightness, beauty and resistance to climate extremes.
Walking around the white city of Arequipa will take you back to the time of its foundation, because many areas of the city are very well preserved. The first place to visit is the San Lazaro neighborhood, which is the oldest neighborhood in the city. Its narrow streets are full of old houses, and it has a parish church founded by the Dominican monks, who built it as a chapel in their arrival. In Selva Negra neighborhood, you will have the best view of Misti volcano, which is separated by the historical center of Arequipa, thanks to River Chilli.
In La Recoleta area you will find the biggest variety of monuments, cultural, religious and historical buildings, among others, such as the Santa Catalina Monastery, the most important in Peru; and as part of the military architecture, the twentieth century Prison. Arequipa is undoubtedly a necessary destination for any adventurer that’s interested in history.
ALFA