Arequipa

About

Located in a lush valley that has been inhabited since the days of nomadic hunter-gatherers, the city of Arequipa was founded by the Spanish in 1540. Thanks to its strategic location on a trade route, Arequipa grew to become the region’s commercial and political center, which in turn resulted in a wealth of beautiful buildings. The sprawling historic center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its beautiful Baroque monuments, and the hundreds of traditional houses, which still lie on the original Spanish layout. Architectural highlights include the massive the vast Cathedral Basilica of Arequipa backed by El Misti, and the sprawling Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Taking up a whole city block, this multi-colored monastery is one of the country’s most captivating colonial buildings. To delve even deeper into the area’s history, head to the Museo Santuarios Andinos, to learn about the mummy known as the "Inca Ice Maiden".