Arequipa – the white city

Arequipa, next stop in what already seems like the end of our stay in Peru. Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru, and its buildings, of light coloured volcanic rock known as sillar, are responsible for the well deserved name of “white city”. Arequipa is built in an area prone to natural disasters. With its active volcano, el Misti, and its propensity to earthquakes, the city has been destroyed in numerous occasions since its foundation. And it is difficult to imagine, wondering around its pretty streets and admiring its white buildings that the city lives expose to a constant threat. And, undisturbed by it, during our days in Arequipa we explored its museums, visited the mummy Juanita, the “ice princess”, we got lost in the maze of Santa Catalina convent, wondered through the streets… and we better leave before the next earthquake!