1.- WHY VISIT AREQUIPA’S MUSEUMS?
To learn more about the best Museums in Arequipa it is important that you first understand its importance. The white city is characterized by containing a large number of buildings made only with ashlar, which has allowed it to be known as a place full of history, culture, plus a sample of architectural domain quite impressive, this is precisely two places where history is preserved and shown through the best Museums in Arequipa. When you choose to visit the best Museums in Arequipa you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural perspective on Peruvian history in addition to knowing how the colonial legacy has been preserved for generations and is a clear way to learn more about the art and religion that is quite characteristic of the region.
1.1.- Cultural perspectives on Peruvian history
The best Museums in Arequipa offer the opportunity to know a different perspective of Peruvian history where you can learn more about the diversity and cultural richness of the country. It is also possible to learn more about the civilizations that once inhabited the southern part of Peru being mainly known the Wari and Inca cultures as well as multiple human settlements and pre-Columbian villages where the culture has been maintained for generations and in a harmonious way merged with the European tradition that arrived along with the Spanish in the mid-sixteenth century. Inside the best Museums in Arequipa not only part of the history is shown, in fact it is about interpreting how the city of Arequipa had a very important role in the political and social evolution of the country.
1.2.- Preservation of the colonial legacy in Arequipa
The city is quite famous for the colonial architecture it contains as well as what shows the optimal conservation and preservation in a constant way, in fact many of the best Museums in Arequipa have been established within old colonial mansions which increases its cultural and historical value. In the past this city was a great reference as a commercial and cultural center for that reason the best Museums in Arequipa contain unique historical pieces from colonial furniture to incredible paintings including part of the Cusquenian school.
1.3.- Art and religion in the best Museums in Arequipa
It is no surprise that the religious aspect has been key in the history of Arequipa to the point of being essential inside the museums, the Andean belief is mixed with the European religion to the point that it created a unique cultural identity that is reflected in multiple historical pieces as works of art, in fact the collections of religious art that can be found inside the best Museums in Arequipa range from small paintings to sculptures finally finished where the beauty is preserved in addition to the meaning.
2.- A SAMPLE OF HISTORY
“A museum is a center of interpretation where history blends with the present and that perfect place where a complete journey through time is made, while knowing the past you can better understand the present.
3.- TIPS FOR VISITING THE BEST MUSEUMS IN AREQUIPA
3.1.- Planning
Being one of the cities that contains more history among other places, Arequipa contains a large number of museum options that are distributed in various parts of the historic center, for this reason if you want to know more than one of the best Museums in Arequipa it is important that you have enough time or at least you can organize a suitable route that allows you to start one and end another easily.
3.2.- Know schedules
Remember that these establishments are structured under an order of schedules, usually during lunchtime and on holidays may be closed so it is always best to know in advance what are the correct hours of operation and until what time you can enter, this will be very useful for your planning.
3.3.- Take your time
Visiting one of the best Museums in Arequipa is not only to walk through its corridors, in fact it is to carefully interpret each piece of art and history that you can observe to determine what is the importance it has, you can take a certain time for this and not let it pass, the minimum time you can spend inside one of the best Museums in Arequipa is estimated to be about two hours.
3.4.- Guide
There is no better way to learn more about history if not through those who have studied even the smallest detail, this is only possible in the company of an experienced professional tour guide who can accompany you during your tour and at every step give you valuable information of what you are observing.
4.- THE BEST MUSEUMS IN AREQUIPA
4.1.- Cathedral Museum
Considered as one of the best Museums in Arequipa because it allows the tour in one of the most incredible and beautiful cathedrals throughout the country, it is also considered one of the most important religious buildings in the city of Arequipa. Its immense walls are a clear sample of the incredible history that is hidden inside, with a very characteristic architectural style is distinguished as the place where resides an incredible amount of religious art collections in addition to containing rooms full of relics and antiques, its location is easily accessible to visit as it is located in the main square of the city.
| Hours of operation | From 10:00 am until 16:15 pm. |
| Admission fee | s/10.00 peruvian soles. |
4.2.- Archaeological museum of the Catholic University of Santa Maria
One of the best Museums in Arequipa also known as Andean Sanctuaries, is considered one of the most popular for travelers who come to know the white city, this museum stands out from others because it contains the exclusivity of presenting the popular mummy “Juanita” plus of course multiple objects that have also been found during its discovery. This museum contains five rooms in total where it is possible to appreciate pieces of textiles, ceramics, metals and other variety of mummies found, however the common purpose of all the rooms is to present how the process of cultural development occurred in this region, also showing from the early times where there were only hunters and gatherers to the creation and establishment of the Republic itself. Since 1996 this hotel has increased its importance, containing around 500 years old pre-Hispanic pieces that are part of multiple cultures that once inhabited Peru.
| Hours of operation | From 09:00 am until 18:00 pm. |
| Admission fee | s/13.00 peruvian soles. |
4.3.- Viceroyalty Museum of Santa Teresa
Not all the best Museums in Arequipa are places where history is preserved, the viceregal museum of Santa Teresa is an exception to this rule because in this place it seems that time has stopped keeping history and culture in a living state making it more entertaining to visit than many other places, This convent belongs to the seventeenth century and what makes it special is not only the architecture that contains but the fine finishes with which it is adorned inside containing murals, ancient paintings and various metals that are part of its extensive collection, like many other of the best Museums in Arequipa you can take the time to visit it on your own or do it with a guide specialized in religious history that will tell you step by step and accompany you on this journey through time.
| Hours of operation | From 10:00 am until 15:00 pm. |
| Admission fee | s/20.00 peruvian soles. |
4.4.- Museum of the Recoleta Convent
Besides being part of the best Museums in Arequipa, it is also characterized for being one of the most impressive. This museum was built in a convent created in 1648 and although unlike other places that show the art inside, in the museum of the convent of the Recoleta the beauty is shown from the outside and the whole construction is considered a work of art because it has a romantic architectural style but at the same time neo-Gothic. Inside there is an impressive library that has been kept up and running since its creation containing a wide bibliographic record of history, it also contains artistic collections that are easily appreciated by visitors.
| Hours of operation | From 09:00 am until 14:00 pm. |
| Admission fee | s/10.00 peruvian soles. |
4.5.- Municipal Historical Museum
The historical center is the place where essentially the most important buildings of the city are located, there is also the municipal historical museum that is considered one of the best Museums in Arequipa where you have the opportunity to know historical and artistic pieces, besides appreciating the architecture and ethnological remains of the whole country. It is also a great opportunity to experience what is known as time travel because thanks to the various areas in which this museum is divided you can learn more about the pre-Hispanic era through the development of cultures and finally the formation of the country as we know it today, has a more academic aspect and provides an opportunity to learn about the history of Peru in a different way.
| Hours of operation | From 09:00 am until 17:00 pm. |
| Admission fee | s/2.00 peruvian soles. |
4.6.- Santa Catalina Monastery
Although technically it is not a museum it is included in the list of the best Museums in Arequipa because of the great historical importance it contains, since 1580 it is known that the landowners or high society people allowed their daughters to be part of this place along with other donations due to the great relationship that existed at that time between people and religion, the entire monastery of Santa Catalina is considered as a mini city because until 1980 no one was allowed access and the people who received there had another lifestyle more attached to religion. It is considered one of the largest convents in the world and the particularity is that it contains a design quite similar to the first neighborhoods found in the city, to this day this place maintains many of its customs that today it is possible to visit as a tourist and historical attraction.
| Hours of operation | From 09:00 am until 18:00 pm. |
| Admission fee | s/45.00 peruvian soles. |
| “Collect memories, not things.” |
5.- FAQs
- What are the best museums to visit in Arequipa?
There are multiple options of museums that you can visit during your visit to Arequipa, without a doubt among the best are the art museum of Arequipa, the municipal historical museum, the museum of the cathedral of Arequipa and of course you cannot omit the visit to the monastery of Santa Catalina.
- Which museum in Arequipa houses the mummy “Juanita”?
The popular “Juanita mummy” is kept in the archaeological museum of the Catholic University of Santa Maria, where all the objects that were found during its excavation are also kept and where the current studies and investigations regarding this historical finding are being carried out.
- Are there any free museums in Arequipa?
Yes, although many of the museums require an entrance fee for foreign visitors, there are also some options that are free although of course they are less known as is the case of the museum of contemporary art.
- Are there guided tours available for Arequipa’s museums?
Yes, in fact part of the attraction is that you can tour any of the best Museums in Arequipa with a guide specialized in art history that step by step can give you important information about the historical development that can be shown and evidenced in each of the artistic pieces inside a museum.
With so many options out there, the best Museums in Arequipa are the best choice for your stay in the city if you are looking to learn more about history. Auri Peru can help you design not only a unique experience but a complete journey back in time where you can immerse yourself in the history and culture behind the white city. Contact us to take the first step.
“Every journey starts with a single step.”
