Arequipa History

Arequipa’s Spanish heritage may dominate the city’s architecture, but its past is a tale of two cultures: one of the indigenous peoples who had settled the area for centuries, and another of the Spanish colonists who “founded” the city in 1540.

Archaeological findings in the valleys around Arequipa suggest the region had been settled for over 10,000 years by nomadic tribes that left petroglyphs, ceramics and other artifacts. Between 500 and 1,000 AD, the Tiwanaku and Huari Empires controlled the area. Afterwards, the Aymara-speaking Churajón and Chuquibamba cultures flourished. They developed advanced irrigation and terraced agricultural techniques, the remains of which can still be seen in the surrounding valleys. The Inca Empire conquered this region in 1270, and relied heavily upon these lands for food and other agricultural production.

Inca rule over the resident indigenous nations, however, was brief. The Spanish arrived shortly thereafter, conquering the Inca Empire. On August 15, 1540, Garcí Manuel de Carbajal founded the modern city. Under Spanish colonial rule, agriculture continued to be the main economic base, producing European crops such as wine, liquor and olive oil.

In July 1821, liberation general José de San Martín declared Peru’s independence from Spain. During the 19th century, Arequipa was a hotbed for Peruvian nationalism. During this period, this city became known throughout the continent as a “land of leaders” because of the often brave and daring arequipeño rebellions. It was relatively isolated until 1870, when it rail lines connected it with the Pacific Ocean.

With the arrival of the Pan-American Highway in the 1930s, Arequipa joined the international trading loop. This was also the decade when native son, Nobel-Prize winning author Mario Vargas Llosa, was born (March 28, 1936). In the late 20th century, Arequipa grew with people fleeing the terrorism wracking the countryside and in search of economic opportunities. It is now Peru’s second largest city and the commercial center of the South.

During its post-Conquest history, Arequipa has suffered at least 13 significant earthquakes, the latest being in 2001. Much of the city survived each time because of the low, solid construction of its buildings. Arequipa’s stunning architecture led to the city’s designation in 2000 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for representing a masterpiece of the creative coalition of European and native characteristics. Today, the city’s economy is based on regional commerce and tourism.