Like a city within a city, the astounding Monasterio de Santa Catalina is probably one of the best architectural sites in Arequipa. With architecture reminiscent of Andalusian Spain, the convent contains a hundred houses, 60 streets, a main square, church, and cemetery. The painting gallery houses more than 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School. Until 1970, when it was opened to the public, this place was shrouded in mystery. During the 17th and 18th centuries, hundreds of nuns lived here, in addition to the daughters of wealthy families. The nuns who currently call this place home have the pleasure of living in modern quarters,complete with fully equipped kitchens. Some of the convent’s highlights include the Orange Tree Cloister, with painted arches; Calle Toledo, an expansive boulevard that ends in a communal lavandería, where the nuns wash their clothes; and the rooms of Sor Ana, a 17th century nun who the Vatican is eager to canonize. Mass is held daily at 7:30 a.m.

Location:
Arequipa, Peru

Historical Building

Travel Skills: None

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