Imagine being the second daughter of a well to do Spanish family in Peru in the 16th – 17th century….. What would be the perspective for your future….? According to tradition it would be living in a convent as a nun and spend your days in service to the Church. Your position in the convent would depend on the size of your dowry. Well, you would have your own maid and your “cell” would be comfortable (certainly considering how other people lived in that day and age).
In the convent you can visit the rooms of the nuns. Many rooms are furnished. There is also a small museum with more valuable pieces.
The convent was a city in the city of Arequipa. The nuns could live there in luxury.
The narrow streets were named after Spanish cities. Like: Burgos street, Toledo street, Cordoba street....
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| Toledo street |
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| Cordoba street |
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| Zocodover square |
When you climb the stairs to the terrace of the church (your legs let you know that you just arrived at a height of 2000 meters!!) you have a great view of El Misty the 5822 meters high volcano, that towers over Arequipa.
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| El Misty (5822 m) |
This convent is very beautiful. The colorful streets, the little photogenic corners ......
The Cusco school paintings in the arcades of the courtyards.....
Much later in the 19th century the Santa Catalina convent was reformed by the sister of Pope Pius the IX-th into an institution like others. Most of the treasures were sent to the church in Rome.
It must have been nice to meditate here in these quiet courtyards.....
Although, the washing had to be done.
And let's not forget the cooking....
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