Built in 1579, the Monastery of St. Catherine is a Dominican nunnery of the Second Order, located just a few blocks from the central plaza in Arequipa, Peru. Once you enter the monastery, its vivid colors (deep blues and striking reds) will surround you and guide you through various rooms that comprise over 215,000 square feet (20,000 square meters) in the complex.
Presently, twenty nuns still live in the monastery in private quarters, and outside of those areas, the monastery is open to the public for visitation. The building uses abundant porous volcanic stone for its walls.
The architectural style is primarily colonial with occasional accents of Spanish and native elements. As seen in these photos, the intense red and blue colors dominate the walls.
Once inside, visitors are given a sample of the simple lives the nuns experience in their quarters.
Arequipe was one of our favorite stops on our trip through Peru. The city is known as the White City because its historic buildings are constructed from sillar, a distinctive white volcanic stone quarried from nearby volcanoes, such as the Misti.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Arequipa, Churches, Cityscapes, Monasterio de Santa Catalina, and Peru. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Steve Schwartzman
These pictures raise a question I’ve pondered on and off for a long time: why are the buildings and clothing in some cultures more colorful than in the United States?
Egidio Leitao
I better not write what I think. Ask me the question again when we meet.
Nicole Sara
I really hope some day I will be able to visit Peru, and Arequipa too… no idea when or how, but I sure hope I will. Your photos are marvelous, Egídio, happy for you that you got to visit, must be wonderful to experience such unique places first hand, and people there. Peru is so full of color and something… I don’t know, ancestral, like remains of a magical time.
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you saw the post, Nicole. I think you described it perfectly: “a magical time.” Thank you for the feedback.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Colori assolutamente straordinari per un monastero. Grazie per la condivisione.
Egidio Leitao
Grazie per le tue gentili parole.
solaner
I love the opener. The red walls on the sides pull me in, right to the main (?) building.
Well done, Egídio 👍👍👍
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, André. What you see as the main building in the end is the church.
solaner
Thanks, for clarification, Egídio. I assumed it, but wasn’t sure.
Toonsarah
I remember visiting that monastery and being bowled over by the colours, especially the blue! Thank you for taking me back 🙂
Linda
Fascinating post and beautiful and captivating photos. Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada 😊 ❤️ 🇨🇦
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment, Linda.
Egidio Leitao
You’re welcome. Thanks for the comment.
shoreacres
Those colors are something! Lush and vibrant as they are, I wondered if they’re also used in the private quarters. From the photos, it seems the sisters probably live with a more subdued palette.
Egidio Leitao
They really are vibrant. The only room we saw was very subdued. It’s that photo with a bed. I don’t know how representative it is of an actual room.
wrookieschu
That’s a pretty cool place to visit.
Egidio Leitao
It really is, especially if you like churches and monasteries. Thanks for writing.
wrookieschu
I love those things!
Egidio Leitao
Then you’d certainly enjoy it, Wayne. We do love visiting churches, too.