What to do in Arequipa? Tours to Colca Canyon, Juanita the Ice Maiden, famous mansions and countless churches. With so many choices and so much to do it can be difficult to decide and difficult to find time to rest. It was as a welcome break then that we found the Monastery of Santa Catalina, founded in 1579 by the Dominican order. This quiet sanctuary, more like a village, provides a glimpse into the lives of a group of women who for centuries have turned away from the world to a life of devotion and contemplation.
The monastery, spreading out over an entire city block, is one of the key attractions to the city of Arequipa. It is beautiful both in its architecture, boasting chapels, cloisters, archways, and tiny rooms, as well as in the insight that it provides into the lives of its past and present inhabitants. Whether you spend the whole afternoon here or only a few hours, the monastery is sure to inspire.
Key features of the Monastery
The monastery spans an entire city block
While it is true that portions are still closed to visitors, it has only been since the 1970s that the monastery has accepted visitors – the funds being used to install electricity and running water.
One of the three cloisters within the monastery, the Orange Tree Cloister, derives its name from the three orange trees in its center. It is here that the nuns re-enact the last days of Christ every Good Friday.
Each of the nuns’ cells differs from the next and each with each decorated in accordance with the financial means of the inhabitant.
Although they took vows of poverty, the nuns lived very comfortable lives as the monastery staffed servants and was well-equipped with kitchens.
Plaza Zocodovar, easily recognizable by its distinctive fountain, provided a location for the nuns to exchange handmade goods on Sundays.
The laundry provides a practical look into what life in the monastery would have been like. Here, in the center, you can see the central channel by which water was fed into 20 individual troughs. After washing laundry in a trough, the plug at the bottom would be removed and the water would drain to an underground canal.
Cordova Street, arguably the most beautiful in the monastery, was inspired by the architecture of the Andalusia region of Spain. Geraniums in terra-cota pots line the sides.
As we wandered through the convent, I had to ask what motivated these women to live such lives of seclusion. Why after all would one want to pass up the conveniences of our modern lives for such austerity? In latter part of our tour, and in their own words, this is what we found.
How to make it happen
The monastery is located at 301 Santa Catalina in Arequipa. Admission is just over $8 USD. Guided tours are available in multiple languages, but there is a certain mystique to wandering the compound independently, discovering its treasures on your own as your peer around each corner and wander down each tiny alley. Be sure to grab a map at the admissions desk, as it will identify each room and ensure that you don’t get lost! The compound is extensive, so be sure to allow 2-3 hours to explore its entirety.
What peaceful escapes within bustling cities have you discovered in your travels?
Ayngelina
I love Arequipa and agree you must see this place when you are there.
Courtney Mroch
Wow. How pretty. This is the first I’m hearing of Arequipa. I couldn’t have even told you what country it’s in! Your pictures are stunning. It looks quite calm. I have to say an unexpected place I found calm and felt the most serene peace was one afternoon after work when I went to check out the Mormon Temple in SLC. I had been sent up there by the law firm I worked at in Phoenix. The Temple is right smack in the middle of downtown, but there was a grace about it that made it feel like a haven. I also got a very nice personal tour of the grounds by a lady who noticed me walking around. (I know they’re always trying to “recruit” but she understood I was not there for spiritual salvation. I was just a tourist for the moment after a busy day of work.) To this day it’s one of my happiest memories.
Ellen
I’ve never been to Salt Lake City, but would love to check it out sometime. Glad you had such a great experience — and so tell me … when’s your trip to Peru happening? I think you’d really love it, Courtney!
Lisa
What a beautiful spot - your photos are lovely!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista
You had me with the very first picture! What a lovely spot. Although I wouldn’t want to do my own laundry there, I love the laundry area.
Ellen
Yeah, can’t say I’d want to do my wash there either, but it’s probably better than some of the options, particularly back in the day. Take care, Debbie.
Steve
Your photos bring back happy memories. Peru was the first place I booked for a holiday when I got my first pay cheque from my first proper job. Of all the places I saw in Peru I still feel that Arequipa was the most enjoyable town.
Ellen
So glad you got to visit there, Steve. Yeah, Peru’s just one of those places you just don’t want to miss.
Deborah Thompson
Beautiful pictures and article! Looks like a really special place. It reminds me of a wonderful place in Puerto Rico called El Convento, which was also an old Convent. It was one of our most memorable vacations. I hope to blog post an article about it on my website soon. Thanks for inspiring me with this great article!
Ellen
Great — we’ll have to check that out when you do! Keep us posted!
inka
It’s rare to find a monastery with such vivid colors. Beautiful pictures and story.
Ellen
I agree — the colors are what attracted us to it in the first place. It was stunning. A little city within a city.
Dean
The buildings are just beautiful. I love the colours and that old look that they have. Great suggestion.
Ellen
Thanks, Dean!
Abby
Cloisters are always so peaceful… These look particularly lovely.
Ellen
I found them peaceful as well. A great place to clear your mind.
Andrea
Arequipa was so beautiful - but we only got to spend one day there =(
Ellen
Andrea — That’s a shame! But hey, at least you got to see even a little bit of it. I get the feeling most visitors to Peru miss out. Thanks for reading!
Angela
Very interesting, I love discovering such small sites when I travel, this looks so fascinating.
christina
Now that blue courtyard is simply stunning!
Laura @Travelocafe
Arequipa’s Monasterio de Santa Catalina: one more place that you have convinced me that I need to visit.
Ellen
Thanks! Arequipa was definitely worth it, though it was a last-minute addition to our itinerary. The monastery was beautiful.
Laurence
Nuns.. with servants. How does that work?
Ellen
I know, right?! Yeah, I think as far as nuns go, they had/have it pretty good.
Lisa
This looks like a wonderful place to visit. I love finding serene and beautiful spots. It must have been an enjoyable visit.
Ellen
It was absolutely lovely
Mary @ Green Global Travel
Lovely photos. You did a great job of conveying the beauty and serenity of Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
Ellen Small Billard
Thanks so much! Serenity is definitely what I was hoping to convey.
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