|
A branch the South Pan-American road leads up from the
coast to Arequipa connecting it with Lima and Tacna.
There are 1,020 krn (632 miles) between Arequipa and
Lima and 400 km (248 miles) between Arequipa and Tacna.
By air, there are daily 1 -hour flights from Lima to
Arequipa, 30-minute flights from Cusco, and 20-minute
flights from Tacna or Juliaca.
The trip from Puno to Arequipa by the South Railroad
takes 10 hours, leaving on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays. Arequipa is the capital of the Province,
Department and Region of the same name. It is located at
Z230 meters (7,314 feet) a.s.l. it is the second largest
city of Peru. One of Its main attractions is the fact
that Arequipa has probably the nicest weather of Peru
with an average of 300 sunny days a year. The city keeps
its ancient architectural treasures, but also shows a
modern side with many luxurious hotels and casinos.
Arequipa gives tourists the opportunity to spend a
pleasant time in the city and its outskirts. It is also
the departing point for wider circuits.
Once in the city, the Plaza de Armas, the 'La Compañia
de Jesus' church, which has cloisters with ashlar (volcanic
white stone or 'sillar") arcades, and the renowned Santa
Catalina Convent should not be missed. On the outskirts
of: the city some districts stand out because of their
beauty, like Cayma, which temple was built in 1730, or
Yanahuara, which belvedere offers a great view of the
city surrounded by volcanoes, such as Cachani, 1,076
meters (3,529 feet) a.s.l.
Also important are the Yura Chapel, the San Lazaro
quarter the Sabandía Mill and the Añazhuayco quarries,
from where the ashlar ('sillar') is extracted. Arequipa
is known as 'La Ciudad Blanca" (White City) because of
the color of its ashlar buildings. |
