About
Arequipa
The area was inhabited since 7600 B.C. by primitive men,
and in the nearest antiquity it was inhabited by the tribe
pre-Inca the Collaguas, and then conquered by the Inca
Mayta Capac who ordered to found the first city, giving
it the name towards 1300 B.C.
Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, Spaniard conqueror, was the
founder of the Spanish city of Arequipa in August 15th,
1540 with the name of "Villa
Hermosa de Arequipa". During the
colonial time it was favored to be an intermediate point
of the caravans that transported the immense shipments
of silver of the rich mines of Potosi (Bolivia) towards
Quilca, port in which was sent aboard for Callao
and Spain.
Arequipa is the capital of the department of Arequipa,
furrowed by the river Chili and it is located in the
slopes of the Misti Volcano, 5,822 meters above sea
level (19,101 feet), and very near to the volcanoes
Chachani 6,075 meters above sea level (19,931 feet),
and the Pichupichu 5,425 meters above sea level (17,798
feet).
Also known as the "Ciudad
Blanca" (White City) for the numerous
and magnificent constructions of temples, convents,
big houses and palaces in white ashlar sculpted as filigree.
It also possesses an excellent climate with almost 300
days of sun a year, with transparent blue sky.
Arequipa also offers an exquisite cuisine, beautiful
landscapes of countryside, majestic volcanoes, the Colca
Valley, challenges and adventures in Colca Canyon, natural
reservations, and the heat of friendly people willing
to make the tourist enjoy their visit to Arequipa.
Arequipa is the second larger city of the country and
the most important of the south of Peru, constitutes
the main pole of economic development due to their multiple
resources and to their irrigation projects that favor
mainly to the agriculture and the cattle raising; industry
of milk products and leathers. It has a modern hotel
infrastructure.
Visiting Arequipa
Historical
Centre of the City of Arequipa:
Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Arequipa conserves
one of the best architectural treasures in the colonial
time of Peru, expressed maybe in the best way in its
temples and religious convents and beautiful elegant
large-houses in colonial-mestizo architecture. The ornamented
architecture in the historic centre of Arequipa represents
a masterpiece of the creative integration of European
and native characteristics, crucial for the cultural
expression of the entire region.
Museums:
Museo de Arte Virreinal
(Virreinal Art Museum),
Museo Arqueológico de la Universidad Católica de Santa
María (Archaeological Museum of the Santa Maria Catholic University), Archaeological Museum of the National University
of San Agustín, Santury Museum - Juanita Mummy's collection,
Municipal City Museum.
Areas
around the city: Towns of beautiful landscapes
and some with beautiful churches and colonial monuments,
large-houses, with magnificent view of the countryside, and towns
with medicinal watering places of spring water.
Recommended visit to Mirador Carmen del Alto, Yanahuara, Sachaca, Tingo,
Mansion del Fundador, Sabandia Mill and Paucarpata.
The Countryside:
(La Campiña) The agricultural area of the periphery
of the city is embodied in beautiful picturesque landscapes,
in which numerous towns are located described in "Areas
around the City." It is as a great chessboard in
different degrees of green and with the Incan system
of sowing in "andenerías". The
countryside of Arequipa has been a inexhaustible source
of inspiration for artists and poets.
The
Colca Valley: Its the most popular excursion
from Arequipa. Valley, formed by the Colca river
in which side banks exists a great beauty scene, hot
springs, and
enormous cultural attractiveness where you will have
an encounter with the descendants of the Collaguas.
Special place to appreciate a Living Culture.
Tourism of Adventure:
The 100 km long Colca Canyon, the deepest
on the Earth, besides landscapes of indescribable beauty,
is one of the best sceneries in the world for rafting, canoeing,
trekking,
and for the lovers of extreme adventure. Also for hiking
lovers, they have the possibility to get to the high
and snowy crater of the volcanoes Misti and Chachani.
Nature & Biodiversity
in Arequipa: National Reserve Salinas and
Aguada Blanca for the protection of high mountain
species - in route to Colca Valley. The National Sanctuary of Mejia
Lagoons area protected for migratory birds.
The
Valley of the Volcanoes: Geologic formation
from the Quaternary Era, with more than 80 volcanoes
in magnificent landscape that looks like a moony landscape.
Arequipa: Quechua Language = Ari quepay
- Yes, stay.
We
recommend you visit combined
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
