When you are in Arequipa, if or if you must visit all the churches, temples and chapels that this beautiful city has, because each infrastructure represents the colonial architecture of the sixteenth and seventeenth century.
And as you know this city has several sites to visit for example, the Misti Volcano, Sillar Route, Mirador de Yanahuara and why not visit all the churches that are around or a few steps from the Plaza de Armas.
If you are a tourist in the White City, if or if you must visit these places, so I leave you some characteristics of the churches that you should visit.
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The city of Arequipa has at least 22 temples, which are the best architectural representation of the colonial era that were built with ashlar, a material that predominates in the constructions of the city.
Each church will highlight its architecture, style and form, so here are some characteristics that I observed in each of these churches:
Arequipa Cathedral
This church is one of the most outstanding, since it is located in front of the Plaza de Armas, is characterized by two high towers and sharp shape, showing that it is a colonial architecture of the seventeenth century.
The Cathedral shows a neo-renaissance architecture and what to say about the building is ideal because it illuminates perfectly the interior; the construction of this religious center took about 35 years to be completed and was inaugurated by Monsignor Gaspar de Villarruel.
The interior of the Cathedral will also surprise you because the altar, pulpit stand out for their carved wood, the frequent telluric movements destroyed part of the building and were restored, also many arequipeños are proud of this construction.
La Compañía de Jesús Church
The church of La Compañía is located between Ejercicios and General Morán streets, it is one of the oldest and most relevant churches of religious architecture made of ashlar. It took time to be built, since there were some irregularities along the way.
We could say that its date of completion was in 1698, date that was engraved on the portico, the church is distinguished by having a pediment with a rich ornamentation, on the side of the cover is a relief with the image of Santiago Matamoros, to whom the church was dedicated.
In its great majority the construction is made of ashlar, its three golden altars have the mestizo baroque style and a pulpit that calls the attention of many for its construction; however, some parts of the building had to be rebuilt due to the seismic movements.
You have a lot to see especially the inside, because there are kept artistic pieces of great characters like Bernardo Bitti, Diego de la Puente and what to say about the style that was made inside. If you like to know more about architecture and art then don't forget to visit this church.
Santa Catalina Monastery
This is one of the churches that functions as a museum, because it exhibits a variety of religious artistic works that unites with the Andean and Spanish. According to history, it was built in the XVI century and was considered a citadel because it has an extension of 20,000 m2.
He tells us that the Monastery opened its doors to the public in 1970, since then it has functioned as a museum and is part of the Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Therefore, one could say that it is unforgivable not to visit this place, and it is only a few steps away from the Plaza de Armas.
Santo Domingo Church and Convent
One of the first constructions of the Spanish conquest, it is said that in the beginning it was built of adobe, but it had to be rebuilt twice, then it was built in ashlar, but it is possible to be evidenced that it still conserves the lateral cover of adobe.
To get here we must go a few meters from the Plaza de Armas and visit it, admission is free.
San Francisco Church
As you may have noticed, most of the churches were built in the XVI and XVII centuries and the San Francisco church was no exception, because part of it was turned into a museum so that the public can visit it upon request, emphasizing that it is worth a visit.
Or you can also visit it when there is a craft fair that has been held for more than 40 years, just start with the month of the anniversary of Arequipa.
These are some of the most visited or important churches in the city, but do not just limit yourself to these; you can also visit the other churches that have much to teach, I recommend that you plan a schedule of the churches you are going to visit.
