Santa Catalina Monastery

If you visit only one place while you’re in Arequipa, make it Santa Catalina Monastery. This absolute must-see is a true city within the city, covering more than 20,000 square meters (215,000 square feet) and hidden behind walls over 4 meters (13 feet) high. Its extraordinary maze of cobblestone streets, courtyards, and fountains remained jealously closed off from the outside world for 391 years, once housing as many as 300 nuns along with a large number of servants, all living in near-total isolation.

The story of this remarkable place begins in an unexpected way. It wasn’t founded by a nun or a churchman, but by Doña María de Guzmán, a wealthy secular widow, in 1579. Over time, this haven of prayer also became a formidable financial power.

Young women from elite families had to provide an enormous dowry of 1,000 silver pesos for the privilege of entering. As a result, the monastery accumulated immense wealth and eventually operated almost like a bank, lending money to the local population. As you wander through the complex, one of the first things you’ll notice is the explosion of color: walls painted in deep blue, yellow, and ochre surround you at every turn.

The stone used to build the monastery came from the two neighboring volcanoes, Misti and Chachani. Builders also mixed volcanic dust and lime into the mortar, creating exceptionally strong double walls. This technique, which takes nearly a century to fully dry, allows the monastery to flex during earthquakes without breaking apart.

Although the complex is now a fascinating museum open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., it’s still very much a living religious community. Dominican nuns continue to occupy the monastery’s northern wing, where they make handcrafted products.

To make the most of your visit, you can explore the passageways during the day or come for one of the evening visits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when the narrow streets are illuminated by lamplight.