Lying just blocks from the Plaza de Armas, the Santa Catalina Monastery Arequipa is arguably the most stunning historical and architectural jewel in Arequipa, Peru. Built in 1579, this vast religious complex chronicles more than four centuries of religion, art, and colonial times. Usually referred to as a “city in a city,” the Monastery of Santa Catalina stretches across 20,000 square meters with cobblestone streets, brightly colored walls in red and blue, and serene courtyards that bring tourists back to another time.
The Santa Catalina Convent continues as a convent for Dominican nuns but is open for public visitation for the most part, offering a glimpse into the religious and secular life of the women who lived in complete isolation for centuries.
