Arequipa

The department of Arequipa has a past that goes back to primitive times. It is estimated that the first settlements date from six to eight thousand years BC, during the Paleolithic Period. Evidence of this is found in the Yarabamba region, at Pampa Colorada and Sumbay, behind the Misti volcano. There it is possible to see Rupestrian paintings in caves of pre-historical times.

The Incas conquered Ayacucho, building an administrative provincial center of great importance in the zone of Vilcashuamán.

When the Incas, around the fifteenth century, expanded their domains in this region, they found two well-established ethnic groups in the region of the Colca valley, the Callaguas and the Cabanas, who were outstanding for their farming, seen still today in the their terraces or andenerías and irrigation systems.

In August 15, 1540, the Spanish, under the command of Captain Manuel García Carbajal founded the Villa Hermosa de Arequipa. One year later, King Charles V of Spain gave it the rank of 'city' and the coat of arms that remains until today.

The so called Ciudad Blanca or White City, due to the white color of its buildings constructed with sillar or petrified organic ash from the Chachani volcano, was a very important bastion during the struggle for independence in the nineteenth century. Most outstanding among the precursors were Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzmán, author of the Letter to the Spanish Americans; Francisco Javier Luna Pizarro, head of the First Constitutional Congress in 1822; and the poet Mariano Melgar, executed in Humachiri.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF THE CAPITAL

Monasterio de Santa Catalina. This is the most important and spectacular religious monument in Perú. It was founded in September of 1579 by the name of Santa Catalina de Siena and shut to the world until 1970.

Main Square, Cathedral, Town Hall, beautifully architecture and surrounded by ashlar arcades.

Iglesia de la Compañía. Founded by the Jesuits in the seventeenth century.

Church and Monastery of La Merced.

San Francisco. A Colonial architectural complex from the sixteenth century.

Franciscan Monastery of La Recoleta. Founded in 1648.

Colonial mansions. The most important are Casa del Moral, Casa Tristán del Pozo, Casa de Irriberry, Casa del Pastor, and Casa Goyeneche.

Yanahuara. At 2 km (1.2 ml) from the city, this quarter is famous for its churches built in Andalusian style.

Cayma. At 3 km (1.8 ml) from the capital, this district is very well-known for its picanterías (typical local hot food restaurants). There is also a beautiful seventeenth century church, and an extraordinary panoramic view of Arequipa.

Yura Thermal Baths. Located at 30 km (18.5 ml) from the city, the waters come from inside the Chachani volcano. Near the city of Arequipa the curative water springs of Jesús and Socosani are also found.

Sabandía, a valley with the most crystalline natural waters of the region. There is a seventeenth century mill still working.

PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AREQUIPA

Cañón del Colca. This is a canyon located in the province of Cailloma. It has a depth of 3,400 mt (11,000 ft) and is one of the deepest in the world. To get there one must go behind the Misti and Chachani volcanoes, as well as through the vicuña reserve of Pampa Cañahuas.

Valle de Majes, in the province of Castilla. The Toro Muerto petroglyphs are located in this valley, with 5,000 large stones representing geometric figures, flora and fauna.

Valley of the Volcanoes. Located in Andahua at 337 km (235 ml) from Arequipa, this valley has an incredible landscape formed by approximately eighty small volcanoes, resembling the surface of the moon.

Santuario Nacional de Lagunas de Mejía. Located in the Coast at 20 km (12.5 ml) from Mollendo, this national sanctuary of 690 hectares includes waters of different grades of salinity, swamps, cat-tale fields, salt pits, and gramadales or grama grass fields. It is possible to find almost 157 bird species.

Sumbay Caves. These caves are located at 88 km (55 ml) from the capital. In spite of time, inside these caves there are valuable rupestrian paintings of the Paleolithic period. Human figures, Peruvian ruminants and pumas, among other designs, are represented in the rocky walls.

Imata Stone Forest. This very original rocky formation, located in the road to Puno, is a complex of natural stone columns, giving the appearance of a mysterious, enchanted and petrified forest.

TOURIST CALENDAR

January 6. Anniversary of the port of Mollendo and the celebration of the Bajada de Los Reyes (Epiphany) in the district of Tiabaya.

February 2. Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria. Celebrated in the district of Chivay.

February 3. Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, celebrated in the districts Cayma and Characato. In Caravelí, the Virgen del Buen Paso is celebrated with festivities that last four days, with cockfights, bullfights, and Peruvian gait horse parades.

Holy Week. Religious acts in the whole department, with processions and spiritual retreat. Men and women keep mourning.

May 1. Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Virgen de Chapi at 45 km (30 ml) from the capital. Pilgrims from all over the country and South America arrive to venerate their patron.

August 15. Anniversary of the capital city of Arequipa. Civic and religious festivities that last a week, with different artistic and cultural activities, such as, cockfights, sports, fireworks and parades. Foreign artists are also invited to participate in these events. In Castilla, the Virgen de la Asunción is honored with festivals, parades and tournaments among districts.

August 30. Fiesta de Santa Rosa de Lima. Religious festivity celebrated in Caravelí with masses, processions, and churches profusely arranged with flowers and a variety of decorations. In Castilla, there are popular night festivals, contests and sports.

September 8. Fiesta de la Virgen de las Peñas, also celebrated in Castilla. Great folkloric display, specially in Aplao. The majordomos do everything to please the visitors.

November 1. All Saints' Day. Family and friends visit the cemeteries to recall their dead, taking music and food with them.

November 9. Jubilee Day in Camaná. The whole city goes into the streets to dance, sing and enjoy.

December 8. Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción, celebrated in Chivay and Cayma.