Santa Catalina Monastery
Colonial Jewel of Arequipa | Guide

Founded in 1579, the Santa Catalina Monastery is a fortified religious city in the heart of Arequipa. Nicknamed "A city within a city", this 20,000 m² complex combines colonial architecture and cloistered traditions.

In brief:

• 🏰 Style: Andean Baroque + Moorish influences
• 🧱 Material: Sillar (white volcanic stone)
• 🕯️ Function: Dominican nuns' convent (until 1970)

Foundation

Created in 1579 to accommodate the daughters of Spanish aristocracy, the monastery functioned in total autarky for 400 years.

Anecdotes

• The nuns had servants and lived in rare luxury for the time
• The last sister left the premises in 1970

Secret Architecture

• System of hidden aqueducts
• Hidden passages between cells

Guided Tour

• Duration: 1h30
• Themes of choice:
  • Historical
  • Architectural
  • Spiritual

Magical Moments

• Morning light: Shadows in the cloisters
• Quiet hours (12pm-2pm): Meditative atmosphere

Hours

• Monday to Sunday: 9am - 6pm (last entry 5pm)
• Tuesday evening: 5:30pm - 7:30pm (last entry 7:30pm)
• Closed: Good Friday, December 25, January 1

Rates

• Foreign adults: 45 soles
• Peruvian adults: 45 soles
• Foreign students (-21 years): 20 soles

Services

• Cafeteria
• Souvenir shop
• Lockers for storing belongings

Reservation

Online tickets (payment by card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express)

• ✨ Time travel: The best-preserved colonial monastery in America
• 🎨 Artistic heritage: Over 400 religious works
• 📷 Photogenic: Unique color contrasts

Note:

• 💒 Still in activity (small community in a closed area)
• ♿ Partial accessibility for people with disabilities

The Santa Catalina Monastery is more than just a monument - it's a sensory dive into Andean colonial history. Between spirituality, art, and architecture, it embodies the soul of Arequipa.

(Plan for 2 hours of visit to fully enjoy the premises.)