Basic characteristics of Arequipa
Arequipa is known as the white city and was founded by the Spanish people in 1540 by a bridge between the rich mines of silver in Potosí, Bolivia, and Lima which is the capital of Peru. At the moment, it has nearly 700.000 inhabitants. It is located in the midwest of Peru, to 2.350 m.a.s.l. and surrounded by a mountain range and spectacular volcanos. The most remarkable volcano is the Misti (Sir in quechua), with a perfect conical form like the Fujiyama. The difference is that the Misti has an altitude of 5.825 m.a.s.l., which makes it 2.300 meters higher than the Fujiyama.
The climate of the city is desert. Its average temperature during the day is 25 ºC and at night it drops to 7ºC. There is sun all year long, but not in the summer (December-March), however the spring is eternal thanks to the Chili river. Summer clothes and sunblock are recommended during the day, nevertheless at night it’s gets pretty cold.
Arequipa
received its name of "White City", due to the lava stone which
is white - ash-gray volcanic solidified stone called: sillar -, with which
the houses, churches and others spanish buildings were built. Among the
most outstanding buildings, that you will be able to visit, are: the Convent
ciudadela of Santa Catalina, the Cathedral, the Sabandía Mill,
the Convent of the Recoleta, the Viewpoint of Yanahuara, the San Francisco
Church, the Compañía Church, etc. In addition, you will be able to enjoy a supply of healthy and ecological local products, such as shrimp, cheese, potato, red pepper, onion, vegetables, corn, porc, beaf, etc. any which way exotic and sweet fruits. The most known dances are the "Arequipeño Carnival", as well as the folkloric dances such as andean highlanders.
The night in Arequipa is very attractive thanks to its excellent variety of bars, boites, pubs, dance clubs, etc. The most recommended are located in the San Francisco street and the Santa Catalina street.
Also,
in Arequipa is located "the Colca"; the deepest and the most
beautiful canyon in the world, just 4 hours from the city, known as
the Cradle of the Condor. The Colca extends a hundred of kilometers
and the maximum depth exceeds 3.000 m. and it is in harmony with thousands
of hectares of Andean terraces.
Moreover, the canyon of "Cotahuasi", which seems to be more
spectacular and deeper than "the Colca", is 12 hours away.
The Valley of Volcanos is 11 hours away and the sea is 2 hours away
with beautiful beachs like Molllendo, Mejía and Camana.
The “Nueva España” Hotel
Nueva
España is a colonial building, a big house constructed with sillar
(volcanic stone which is tipical in Arequipa) and supported by iron
rails. Somerooms come with barrel vault rooves, called “bóveda”.It
is located in Antiquilla, an historical, clean and quiet district, of
the typical bigger district of Yanahuara, only 10 minutes (on foot)
from the Plaza de Armas, walking through the old Bolognesi Bridge, where
you will be able to observe volcanos (Misti, Chachani and Pichu-pichu)
which surrounds the White City.
Nueva España was constructed in 1810, with extensions and improvements at the republican time (S. XIX and XX). However it has conserved intact its Roman architectonic style and its satately air of the virreynal time, also its old spirit of the local houses.
At first, it was a farm house for the farms that existed around; later it was designated for the business of the wool of alpaca, vicuna and llamas - since the family Salinas settled in 19th century (their descendants are the present owners) -. The farmers arrived at the big house with their flocks of camelidaes for shearing, weigh-in and purchasing of the wool.
In the decades of 1970’s and 1980’s the house was neglected, without maintenance, rented to more than 13 families and diverse associations, that had it literally crowded. Happily, from second half of the 1990’s the works of improvements began to its refurbish and restore value.
In
fact, the Nueva España building has been restored to accommodate
tourists comfortably from around the world. This recovery was made thinking
in the maintenance of its colonial arquitectural style, in harmony with
the modern world facilities. We
offer you a fine cosy stay.
The
13 rooms of Nueva España can lodge 30 people. Each room has a
bathroom with hot and cold water (solar energy). Also, our hotel has
2 coffee houses: one is outdoor, on a terrace to enjoy the andean sun,
and the other is indoor, in a room made by sillar stones and beautifully
decorated, where you could have the breakfasts that Celia and Eloy prepare
you.
In somevenings we offer you special nights like folk musical presentations
or tasting of tipical “tapas”.
Our services include:
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Address :
Booking and Information: Telefax: +51-(0)54-252941 Booking Counter : download (.doc/.dot) |