Private Nuns Monastery of the Order of St. Catherine of Siena-original name, was built in an area of about 20 thousand square meters to house the daughters of the most distinguished families in Arequipa. It was a convent until 1970 absolute , when the nuns decide to live together and leave their cloisters to be visited by tourists.
The convent of Santa Catalina is a small fortress built of mud and chairs with magnificent frescoes occupy an area of 20 thousand square meters and is divided into four quarters, trying to emulate the urban distribution of Arequipa early years of the colony.
The Viceroy Francisco Toledo, during his visit to Arequipa, was informed by the council, about his desire to years ago to found a monastery of nuns. This motivated him to grant the licenses necessary for the foundation of "Private Nuns Monastery of the Order of St. Catherine of Siena." And thanks to the donation of goods Maria de Guzman, widow of Diego Hernández de Mendoza. She was the first prioress of the monastery, a position he held for the first six years of operation. Its construction was carried out expeditiously and in 1579 was declared opened.
On Sunday October 2, 1580, celebrates a Mass at the city and Queen Mary, known as the founder, is officially habits. Women who entered the monastery as nuns were Creole, Mestizo, and even daughters curacas. Only in 1964 entered the first Spanish nuns. The story also includes the income of "poor sisters" and ladies of the city, without embracing the religious life, entering into the house to exercise their virtues.
For nearly two centuries in the viceregal era, cloisters and cells of the monastery of Santa Catalina, have been modifications, additions and new buildings that have become a true showcase of colonial architecture of Arequipa.
Its architectural style is based on the Spanish influence, but made with Indian hands. Therefore, unlike other colonial public buildings in Santa Catalina can find the fusion of Spanish and indigenous elements, forming something original.
Continued Arequipa earthquakes that struck in 1582, destroyed the earlier building and also the properties of the families of the nuns Catalina. This was the cause and origin of the existing citadel in the Monastery of St. Catherine of Siena in Arequipa. The relatives of the nuns chose to build private cells for them, since the dormitory was damaged or was too small for the number growing daily religious.
As set a standard that was followed by more than 300 years. To ensure safety, Lindel the door was slightly above ground level and the ceiling is considerably lower, providing more resistance to earthquakes.
When he decided to open the doors of the monastery and began the restoration work of the frescoes painted on its walls, he found a collection of religious paintings of the Indian school. Approximately 400 pieces were restored and is now one of the collections of major religious paintings of Latin America.
Inside there is a museum that houses one of the most important examples of religious art of the continent, including an art gallery containing works from the Cuzco School, the highest expression of the fusion of feelings and values of two cultures: Inca and Spanish . It opened on August 15, 1970. The visit to the monastery takes about an hour and a half.
Monasterio de Santa Catalina, the most important religious monument in Peru colonial. Founded in 1580, kept their doors closed to the world until 1970. When opened, left to see their narrow corridors, gardens, streets and squares, which jealously guards a very peculiar colonial art.
How to get there?
The Monastery of Santa Catalina is located near the Plaza de Armas, the left branch of the avenue that runs next to the Basilica of Arequipa. The ticket price is 30 soles, with the company of a guide or, if you like, you can choose to go it alone, although in this case the explanation and would lose all the curious details that are locked behind these massive walls ashlar.
Serve every day of the year except Christmas, New Year and regular Santo.Horario Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m.
High season: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Special rates for children and pensioners.
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