Arequipa
Walking Sightseeing TourWe begin our tour through the main attractions of the 'White City', thus named because all colonial architecture is made of sillar (hardened volcanic lava) of a whitish hue, in the heart of the historic center of Arequipa, the Plaza de Armas.
In the Plaza de Armas we can enjoy a beautiful monument at the center of the square, where the Tuturuto bronze statue represents a soldier of the Arequipean revolution. Towards the south we visit the Vestibule of Flowers, and to the north the Vestibule of San Agustín, both two-storey buildings that launch a succession of immense arcs of colonial times. From the top, one can enjoy a beautiful panoramic vista of the plaza and tourist restaurants that feature a variety of folkloric musical groups.
In the front of the plaza we head toward the impressive Catedral of neo-Renaissance style with some French influences, with a marble altar in the interiors. Later, crossing the plaza, which is decorated with beautiful lights, trees and doves, toward the west side, we will come upon the first colonial church, La Compañía, of exquisite Jesuit architecture and columns worked in typical Arequipean style.
Turn south through Santa Catalina Street, past San Agustín, a large house of baroque facade and home of cultural centre Chaves de la Rosa that displays art exhibits. A few meters away, we arrive at the beautiful Passage of the Cathedral, where we find a variety of craft shops and restaurants with terraces, until arriving at the Casa Tristán del Pozo manor house, of splendid decoration and beautiful colonial patios. Leaving the passage, up the street, arriving at the square of San Francisco, there is Franciscan Church, two of the most important museums of the city and the prestigious artisan center Fundo de Fierro.
San Lazaro district, the oldest in the city, with its narrow and colorful side streets and its attractive square. It is time to return and visit the colossal Convento de Santa Catalina and the
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