San Francisco Convent

The Franciscan presence in Arequipa is so extensive that this entire city block belongs to the complex. They certainly didn’t think small: it includes the main church, the friars’ convent, a school, and the Tercera Orden church. The story begins in 1552, just 12 years after the city was founded, when Franciscan friars settled on land donated by a generous benefactor and began building.

But the ground beneath them had other plans. Over the centuries, the complex has endured an impressive series of earthquakes. Each one left its mark, yet this monument has become something of an expert at getting back on its feet.

Step inside the church and you’ll find a beautiful nave filled with carved wooden altarpieces gilded with gold leaf, along with a collection of impressive paintings. And here’s a curious claim: the convent says it houses the largest painting in Latin America depicting the “Genealogy of the Franciscan Order.” There’s just one problem—the Franciscan convent in Cusco makes exactly the same claim about a similar work. With no official judge to settle the dispute, all that’s left is to admire the painting for yourself and decide which one deserves the title.