Located in the heart of Arequipa, Peru, the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena is a remarkable 20,000-square-meter citadel of the Dominican Second Order. Consecrated in 1579 and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic complex offers you a peaceful escape isolated behind a four-meter-high solid wall. You will discover a vibrant miniature city made of volcanic white and pink tuff, featuring narrow alleys, colorful walls, and charming cloisters.
As you wander through its living quarters, you will see original furniture, picturesque sleeping areas, and domed interiors showcasing master craftsmanship with flying buttresses and strong arches. Highlights inside include the Cloister of the Oranges, the historic Laundry with its clay urn trays, and a soot-blackened coal kitchen. Art lovers can admire a Baroque carved gold altar, Cusco School paintings, and an art gallery with around 400 colonial pieces set within high-vaulted ashlar rooms.
You can also explore the historic church housing a delicate embossed silver main altar, confessors' rooms, and an ancient European organ in the high choir. Whether exploring quiet courtyards or historic cells, Santa Catalina offers an extraordinary look into colonial architecture and history.
What to see at Santa Catalina Monastery
- Art gallery displaying approximately 400 colonial art pieces in vaulted ashlar rooms
- Historic 1770 Laundry featuring 20 clay urns converted into washing trays
- Church main altar crafted from delicate embossed silver
- 1738 Cloister of the Oranges with three crosses representing the Passion of Christ
- Unique kitchen with soot-blackened walls and a high domed ceiling
Visiting tips
Observe how the monastery's architecture uniquely combines white tuff from the Chachani volcano with pink tuff from Misti.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Santa Catalina Monastery is easy to reach on Arequipa’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Arequipa travel guide.
See the full Arequipa travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.