First-time visitors to this
city are struck by its telluric
nature, manifest in the
bucolic relationship that the
city's inhabitants have with
the desert. Having struggled
for over 5,000 years to
subdue their surroundings by
making the most suitable use
of the scarce water that flows
down from the snowy
mountain peaks, their pride
in the resulting green and
fertile countryside that can
still be seen today finds
expression in poems and
songs.
The peaceful conditions
prevailing in the sixteenth
century attracted Spanish
pilgrims and those eager to
discover gold and wealth
when they reached this
valley. With kindness,
compassion and generosity,
the Churajón Indians, expert
farmers from the Arequipa
oasis, welcomed the weary
travellers in their modest
homes. Finding respite from
their hardships and relief
from their anxious pursuit of
wealth, their guests decided
to stay...
Pablo De La Vera Cruz CH.
Director of the UNSA Museum
Archeologist of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura |
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Cloister of the XVIIIth century
Company of Jesus
© UNESCO
© J. M. F. Díaz Formentí
© E. A. Fierro
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