Arequipa, Peru

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Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa Is an important industrial and commercial centre of Peru. The city was a settlement before the Spanish founded the city in the 1540 and over 3 centuries it was a faithful follower to Spain. The city is located at an attitude of 2328 metres above sea level with an almost constant summer climate with blue skies which gives its nickname of the city of "Eternal blue sky". The river Chili crosses the centre part of the city from north to south, and the valley of Arequipa is also protected to the north and east by the Andes mountain range. The snow capped volcanic mountains Misti and Pichu Pichu Chachani surround the city, the rugged ground of the city is covered with a thick layer' of volcanic lava.

The city was originally built in Adobe in the 18th and 19th century. Later came brick and tile houses followed by the volcanic stone and now much of the city's major buildings are built in this beautiful white/pinkish stone which is why the city is also called the "White City"

The main square "Plaza de Armas" is surrounded by Colonial buildings built in the volcanic stone, the Basilica Cathedral is situated at the main square too. We visited it with a guide she said it had been damaged by several earthquakes, gutted by fire caused by candle light so electricity was installed and then more recently in 2001 Southern Peru had a earthquake 8.1 on the Richter scale this caused one of the bell towers to topple into the Cathedral which just missed the organ ( The organ was donated to the Cathedral by Belgium) the tower only caused damage to the beautiful tiled floor in front of the organ. The Catherdral's clock was made in England in 1854

Santa Catalina Monastery for Nuns was built in 1579 and was painted in vivid colours of pink and shades of blue. The monastery was founded by a rich widow Maria de Guzman as with tradition the second daughter or son would enter the monastery for a life service to the church. The daughter were normally from a wealthy family and they were expected to pay a dowry of 2,400 silver coins in today terms this is about 150,000 US $.

The nuns livid in a cloistered community they had a list of 25 items they had to bring, a statue, lamp and clothes the wealthiest nuns may of brought finer items to such as silk curtains and English bone china. It was evident from the cells that most of the nuns came from wealthy families.

The monastery was struck twice by earthquakes which severely damaging the structures, so the nuns were forced to build next door. When it was restored the monastery was opened to the public which helped pay for the installation of running water and electricity as this was required by law.

The Colca Canyon is 150 km north from Arequipa, the bus journey to reach the canyon took several hours before reaching the starting point of our 3 day/2 night trek, we stopped at the view point Cruz del Condor for an hour to spot Condors who circle in the canyon. We were lucky to spot a couple of adult condors gilding in the air, and a couple of young birds resting on the cliff edges.

The canyon is promoted as the worlds deepest canyon at a depth of 4160 meters at its deepest point to the river bed, this is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The Colca valley is a beautiful Andean valley with Pre Inca roots. The canyon is full of amazing colours between the sharp blues of the jagged rocks to the vivid greens of the plants and bushes. There are still two traditional Indian cultural families living in the canyon, the Aymara speaking Collagua culture who moved to the area from Lake Titicaca in the pre Inca era.The Incas probably arrived in the Colca valley around 1320 AD. The Collagua people now live in the valley along with the Quechua speaking culture Cabana, they both continue to live and follow their ancestral traditions where they still cultivate the pre Inca steep terraces for their livelihood. The woman of these two cultures wear different types of clothes and designs of hats.

Sorry once again the Travel blog site will not let us rotate the photos. Next trip new site.

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Photos

Arequipa
On the Basilica roof top

The Cathedral bell tower
The bells !

The Cathedral in Arequipa
Looking at the altar

Cathedral in Arequipa P1010703
The Belgium organ donated to the Cathedral. The lucky organ !

Arequipa
Inside the Basilica Cathedral

The Cathedral in Arequipa
Looking at the front taken from plaza Armas

The Bell Tower
Us bravely standing inside" the bells " of the Cathedral

Arequipa city centre
The Colonial buildings around plaza Armas

Plaza Armas
In Arequipa

Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa
A typical passage way surrounding the nuns cells

Santa Catalina Monastery
This is strangely called the Orange Plaza because of the 5 orange trees growing in the square in pots

Another passage way in the nuns monastery
Note the vivid pink walls !

A passage way
Surrounding a square in the monastery

The cooking area
The kitchen is a for nun who most likely came from a wealthy family because of the large size

Water purifying stone
The cone shaped stone is filled with water which drips through the pointed end of the cone to purify the water

A cell of a nun
This nun most probably came from a wealthy family

A nun's cell
She is probably from a wealthy family note the fine furniture

The nuns' laundry room
The nuns wash in the large clay bowls which are filled from the stone channel running in between them

Comments

[Figgy and Ali B]

not a bad blog lots and lots pics! !