[vc_row][vc_column][vc_facebook type=\u00bbbutton_count\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Well, we do not want to exaggerate being to much romantic, but for sure we have understood the symbolic message of this story.<\/p>\n
\nArequipa is not a city to pass quickly on the route during your trip to Peru; once here you are going to say \u00ablet’s stay here\u00bb<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
1.- Enjoy the gorgeous historical centre of Arequipa<\/span><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2385″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Arequipa\u2019s main attraction is unequivocally the magnificent historical centre, which owes its beauty and significance to more than just its impeccable off-white facades.<\/p>\n
The architectural style of most structures, built in volcanic rock, shows an unprecedented and harmonious blend of European and native indigenous elements and techniques, which resulted in a spectacular display of exquisitely-decorated mansions, courtyards, cloisters and churches.<\/p>\n
Peruvian architect and writer Hector Velarde couldn\u2019t have described it better: \u201cthe architecture of Arequipa is all about the marriage between conqueror and conquered, it\u2019s a true fusion. It is the perfect colonial architecture, maybe the most complete of all Mestizo-American architectures\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
- Plaza de Armas (The best photos are during Sunset)<\/li>\n
- Casa Tristan del Pozo<\/li>\n
- Casa Moran<\/li>\n
- Plaza San Lazaro<\/li>\n
- Plaza and Church San Francisco.<\/li>\n
- Church and cloister of La Compa\u00f1\u00eda de Jesus<\/li>\n
- Streets of Arequipa City center that close into the Main Square<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2715″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2719″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
2.- Mundo Alpaca<\/span> <\/strong><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2723″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you think that to visit \u201cMundo alpaca\u201d is only a shopping store with live alpacas, it is wrong! Mundo Alpaca it\u2019s actually a small and very well-organized \u201cAlpaca Boutique and Museum\u201d.<\/p>\n
Live the experience of the \u00abAlpaca and Vicu\u00f1a\u00bb and learn about the tradition, process and history of its fibers and the wonderful textiles of the Andes.<\/p>\n
Here you will not only interact with the Alpacas but also you will travel to the past through the textile history that you will appreciate in its \u00bb Museo Textil Pre-Columbian Amano \u2013 Michell\u00bb, which exhibits valuable textile pieces from pre-Columbian cultures.<\/p>\n
To close the experience you will visit the Boutique where you can find excellent and top quality products for you and your family.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2725″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2726″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
3.- San Camilo Market<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2727″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Take your time to stroll down the different alleys, which are neatly organized by product type. You will be amazed by the quantity of products and colors. Walk through the alleys of herbs, meats, breads, fruits, cheeses etc… Walk through the juice alley and taste a good glass of fresh juice (the best juices we’ve ever tasted) and on the second floor visit the sale of flowers, textiles and also look some restaurants for locals.<\/p>\n
Here you will discover the huge variety of potatoes that Peru offers.<\/p>\n
Do you know that Peru has more than 3,500 varieties of potato, the largest in the world, and there are more than 700,000 families that live from its cultivation in 19 producing regions?<\/h5>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2729″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2730″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
4.- Walk to the Yanahuara scenic lookout<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2732″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For a wonderful view of this city and its volcanoes, there is no better place than the Yanahuara Lookout. On a clear day (which in Arequipa is almost 300 days a year) you will have photos of the city and its volcanoes as a postcard, from some elegant arches made arches made from the same volcanic rock used in the historical city center (Sillar).<\/p>\n
Note that the arches have some inscriptions, which are quotes from famous Arequipan writers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Take time to explore the Plaza. Church and some close streets and get in the Plaza a delicious \u201cQueso helado\u201d a kind of Traditional ice cream of this city.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2733″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2734″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
5.- The Recoleta Convent<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2736″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Only a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas crossing the R\u00edo Chili over pleasant Puente Bolognesi on the way to Yanahuara, you will find the Recoleta convent museum.<\/p>\n
It was founded in 1648 by Franciscan friars and rebuilt after many earthquakes. The peaceful Franciscan convent contains impressive cloisters with sillar columns, patios and lovely gardens.<\/p>\n
Bibliophiles will delight walking around the Convent’s huge library, which contains more than 20,000 dusty books and maps; including rare published texts from the 15th century. The library is open for supervised visits, just ask at the entrance if you visit.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The convent museum includes several collections that are good to visit. One room is a collection of pre-Inca culture artifacts, including funereal masks, textiles, and totems; in another are mummies and a series of paintings of the 12 Inca emperors. Also is interesting to observe that the missionaries were understandably fascinated by prehistoric-looking fish, crocodiles, piranhas, and the clothing of indigenous communities.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
6.- Santa Catalina Monastery<\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2353″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This incredible monument<\/a> is located in the historic center of Arequipa. It served as a cloister for Dominican nuns from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and still houses a small religious community today.<\/p>\n
The monastery occupies a territory of 20,426 m2 and was opened on September 10, 1579, just 39 years after the foundation of Arequipa city.<\/p>\n
The whole complex is built from volcanic ashlar stone \u201cSillar\u201d and is organized into cloisters, houses, patios, square, a gallery and a small chapel.<\/p>\n
This monastery shouldn\u2019t be missed!<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2358″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2359″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
7.-\u00a0 Santa Teresa Monastery<\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2737″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This gorgeous 17th-century Carmelite convent<\/a> is open to the public as a \u201cliving museum\u201d; so called because several of the objects and rooms continue to be used as it was over 3 centuries ago.<\/p>\n
The colonial-era buildings are justifiably famed for their decorative painted walls and restored rooms filled with priceless objects of art, murals, precious metalwork, paintings and other historical artifacts.<\/p>\n
The museum is located in the city centre of Arequipa, a few bloks from the main square on calle Melgar 303.<\/p>\n
PS: You must visit the Candy Shop: where you can taste cakes and desserts made daily by the nuns with ancient recipes. Also in the shop you will Souvenirs and craft items such as parsley and roses soap made from the roses of the monastery, Apple Vinegar and Bee Honey.<\/p>\n
This monastery is also another gem of Arequipa!<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2738″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\u00bb1\/2″][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2739″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
8.- The Library\u00a0 \u00abMario Vargas Llosa.\u00bb<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\u00bb2744″ img_size=\u00bblarge\u00bb][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mario Vargas Llosa was born in Arequipa, Peru in 1936. He is the author of fifteen novels, including La Ciudad de los Perros (The Time of the Hero) (1963), La casa verde (The Green House) (1966), and La guerra del fin del mundo (The War of the End of the World) (1981).\u00a0 He has also written three short story collections, including Los jefes (The Leaders) (1959), as well as several collections of essays. His books have been translated into more than thirty languages.<\/p>\n
In 2010, Vargas Llosa was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.<\/span><\/h5>\n
So, there is no doubt that Arequipa city is proud of Its son, who now resides in Spain.<\/p>\n
The Mario Vargas LLosa library is located in a Colonial house in the historical center of Arequipa and offers 7,900 titles ranging from fiction, history, social sciences and magazines, but the number keep growing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough books we can see what we don\u2019t have and we would like to have, thanks to books we will fight prejudice and see how absurd and irrational differences are. Literature makes us more human, makes us more reasonable, literature makes us more free, breaks borders,\u201d<\/em> – Mario Vargas Llosa on the inauguration of the Library.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
What do you think?<\/h4>\n
We invite you to Discover Arequipa and live the experience of the White City of Peru<\/h4>\n
Giardino Tours – Blog<\/h4>\n
#ItravelWithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Interesting related links:<\/p>\n
Tour Arequipa: The Cathedral & 5 curious facts that you should know<\/a><\/p>\n
Tour Arequipa: The fascinating stone city of Choqolaca<\/a><\/p>\n