Santa Catalina Monastery
Monasterio de Santa Catalina
A 20,000-square-meter 'city within a city.' Its red and blue lanes and nuns' cells are remarkably well preserved, making it a must-see in Arequipa.
The monastery was founded in 1579. For nearly 400 years, hundreds of nuns lived behind its walls, cut off from the outside world, and it did not open to the public until 1970. Inside, you'll find streets, squares, cloisters, and the nuns' cells, with walls painted in ochre red and cobalt blue that make for wonderful photos. A guided tour of about 1.5 hours is recommended, though you can also explore on your own using a map. Admission is about 40 soles (check on site). It is a 3-minute walk from Plaza de Armas.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00 (night sessions on some days)
Nearby sights
- Basilica and Convent of San Francisco
- Casa del Moral
- Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
- Casa Tristán del Pozo
- Plaza de Armas of Arequipa
- Museo Santuarios Andinos
- Church of the Society of Jesus
- Recoleta Monastery