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SOUTHERN PERU:
Arequipa, the "White City": Santa Catalina     Museum Santuarios Andinos     Colca Canyon    

Monastery Santa Catalina

Covering a square city block, the Santa Catalina 'Monastery' began, in the 16th century, as a convent for the daughters of rich families. At one time, there were over 450 nuns living in it, and in the early days the nuns all had their own servants and held regular parties, enjoying English carpets, silk curtains, porcelain plates, damask tablecloths, silver cutlery, and lace sheets, until a crackdown brought a more severe lifestyle.

The convent is a city in itself, with streets, gardens, and pools inside. The nuns were hidden from view by curtains or other barriers during visits by family or friends, but life there was not likely too grim, as the courtyards and private areas look relatively comfy and spacious.

There are still a few nuns living here, but they're quartered in a smaller area now, away from the main sections visited daily.

The convent wasn't opened to the public until 1970, after 400 years behind silent walls.

The washing area of SANTA CATALINA-monastery: 20 clay semi-jars (tinajas) were supplied with water through a stone channel.  
SANTA CATALINA-monastery had alleys with proper names, squares, gardens, cloisters, workshops and a private water supply system.
     
SANTA CATALINA monastery is a monastic town in the middle of AREQUIPA: 150 nuns and 400 maidservants used to live there.
     
Nowadays only 30 nuns are living in the SANTA CATALINA-monastery.
  
beauty of the moorish architecture reminds the visitor of Spanish towns.

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