SANTA CATALINA MUSEUM - Arequipa

The convent of Santa Catalina, is located in the city of Arequipa, founded in 1540. Its architectural style is primarily colonial, but originally native. Unlike other colonial remnants of this part of Latin America, especially in Arequipa and Santa Catalina, we see the fusion of Spanish and native.

Brief History

The Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, during his visit to Arequipa, was motivated to grant the necessary licenses for the foundation of a private nuns monastery to the Order of Saint Catherine of Siena (Santa Catalina de Siena). Doña María de Guzmán, widow of Diego Hernández de Mendoza, a beautiful and rich woman, who had no children, decided to retreat to the monastery while it was under construction, donating all her possessions. On September 10, 1579 the Chapter, Justice and the City Regiment and the Bishopric of Cusco, named Doña María de Guzmán "first settler, prioress of the Monastery."

On Sunday October 2, 1580, celebrated a Mass in the city and Doña María was renowned as the founder.

Women who entered the monastery as nuns were Creole (Spanish born in Peru), Mestizo (mixed race) and daughters of Inca chiefs. In 1964 the first Spanish nuns were accepted. "Poor sisters" and ladies of the city, without embracing the religious life, also entered the house to exercise their virtues. In 1582, Arequipa suffered a major earthquake. The monastery was badly damaged. Despite this, the monastery remained open. For nearly two centuries of the colonial era, cloisters and cells of the monastery, suffered modifications, additions and new buildings, which have become a true showcase of colonial architecture of Arequipa.