Experts' Choice Award Monasterio de Santa Catalina
What the experts agree on
A vast 16th-century convent-city of colorful mud-brick streets and cloisters, widely called Arequipa's must-see cultural treasure—still home to a handful of nuns today.
“Santa Catalina convent (16C), the highlight of a visit to Arequipa, is nowadays only inhabited by twenty or so nuns who live an austere life.”
– Michelin Guide
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Even if you’re overdosed on colonial edifices, this convent shouldn’t be missed." Full review
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At the end of the four years they could choose between taking their vows and entering into religious service, or leaving the convent – the latter would most likely have brought shame upon their family.
Fodor's "A city unto itself, this 5-acre complex of mud-brick, Iberian-style buildings—a working convent and one of Peru's most famed cultural treasures." Full review
Atlas Obscura "This 16th-century monastery was founded to cloister the daughters of wealthy local families. " Full review
Frommer's "Arequipa's serene Convent of Santa Catalina, founded in 1579 under the Dominican order, is the most important and impressive religious monument in Peru" Full review
National Geographic
