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Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa

The historic centre of Arequipa, built in volcanic sillar rock, represents an integration of European and native building techniques and characteristics, expressed in the admirable work of colonial masters and Criollo and Indian masons. This combination of influences is illustrated by the city's robust walls, archways and vaults, courtyards and open spaces, and the intricate Baroque decoration of its facades.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1016

The Historic Centre of the City of Arequipa is one of the most interesting examples of Latin American architecture and town planning. Frequent earthquakes, the abundant presence of volcanic rock, known as silla, and the city’s geographical isolation lead to the development of a distinct local architecture. It is characterized by the robustness of its walls, extensive use of archways and vaults, Romanic courtyards and open spaces and baroque decoration of the facades.

The artistic designs show the integration of European and native characteristics, resulting in some of the best mestizo Baroque buildings in the world. Most of them originated in the 16th century, but were built over and over again in the 17th and 18th centuries after several earthquakes struck.

Furthermore, the city has a spectacular natural setting in the foothills of three snow-capped volcanoes.

The Historic Centre is a uniform ensemble of both religious monuments and private houses. The most important historic ensembles of Arequipa include:

• The convent of Santa Catalina (on the postcard)

• The Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral

• La Compañia

• Santo Domingo

• La Merced

• San Agustin

• San Francisco 

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/arequipa.html