Plaza de Armas, Arequipa’s Splendid Main Square

Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa

Pigeons and people populate the late afternoon square in front of the cathedral

Like the Santa Catalina Convent, Arequipa’s main square (Plaza de Armas) is part of the city’s world heritage-listed historic centre.

Surrounded by the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa to the north and portals to the east, south and west, the plaza is a wonderful place to relax, watch the world go by and politely decline unsolicited offers.

Archway displaying Peruvian colours with Misti in the background, Arequipa

A giant ribbon in national colours on the eastern portal (Portal de los Flores) prior to Peru’s independence day (28 July); Mt Misti is in the background

The best plaza views:

  • During the day: Katari Hotel’s rooftop restaurant on top of the southern portal (Portal de la Municipalidad). The three surrounding volcanoes, Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pichu, are all visible from here as viewed in this post’s feature image.
  • At sunset: Restaurant at the Top at the northernmost end of the eastern portal (Portal de las Flores); Rocío and I used to enjoy passion fruit sours here while watching the sun go down. Sometimes, if the sunset looked promising, we would run across town to make the rooftop in time.

Basilica Cathedral and archways with Misti in the background, Arequipa

The Misti Volcano behind the nexus of the cathedral and eastern portal (Portal de las Flores); photo taken from Katari Hotel’s rooftop restaurant

Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa at Sunset

The cathedral at sunset from Restaurant at the Top

Silhouette of pelargonium from rooftop, Arequipa

A pelargonium at Restaurant at the Top silhouetted against the setting sun

Sunset viewed from rooftop bar, Arequipa

The sun setting west of the plaza as viewed from Restaurant at the Top

Arequipa Plaza de Armas at dusk

The square at dusk from Restaurant at the Top

The cathedral and portals are all constructed out of sillar, a volcanic stone synonymous with Arequipa.

Archway, Plaza de Armas, Arequipa

The sun setting through the southern portal (Portal de la Municipalidad).

Arequipa Municipality Archway

The southern portal (Portal de la Municipalidad) featuring Arequipa’s official dark red colour in the city’s flags and bunting

Fountain with municipality archway in background, Plaza de Armas, Arequipa

The central plaza fountain features at the top a sculpture of a pixie, Tuturutu

Group taking selfies, Plaza de Armas, Arequipa

People taking a selfie in front of the central fountain

One thought on “Plaza de Armas, Arequipa’s Splendid Main Square

  1. Pingback: Arequipa, Home away from Home | Where is Joe.in?

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