Arequipa Museums

(Arequipa, Peru)

Within the city of Arequipa are a number of very notable museums, covering a number of different regional subject matters, relating to southern Peru. The Museo Historico Municipal (Municipal History Museum) is always very popular with tourists visiting Arequipa and chronicles the area's Inca cultures and rich history, housing an array of pieces from the late 19th-century war with Chile.

Arequipa's acclaimed Museo Santury is officially titled as the Museo Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria and is known for specialising in various aspects relating to the Andes mountains. Always fascinating at this museum are the preserved mummies, such as the very famous 'Ice Princess' Juanita - a young Inca maiden who was sacrificed some 500 years ago at the top of the Nevado Ampato volcano, as part of a 'capac-cocha' ceremony to appease the gods.

Museo Santury / Museo Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria / Museo Santuarios Andinos

Address: Santa Catalina 210, Cercado, Arequipa, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 054 21 0121
The 'Ice Princess' of Juanita is displayed at the Museo Santury within a frozen glass container, between May and December, while almost 20 other mummies are also housed here, discovered from Peru, Chile and even Argentina. Multilingual guided tours are available, taking visitors around the woodcarvings, gold works and textiles. You should expect to spend an hour or so here, some of which will be made up watching a video presentation.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 09:00 to 15:00
Admission: charge, discounts for students and children

Museo Historico Municipal / Museo Regional Historico Etnologico Municipal (Municipal History Museum of Arequipa)

Address: Plaza San Francisco 407, Arequipa, Peru, PE
Sited within a somewhat neglected colonial building and standing close to the San Francisco Church, the Museo Regional Historico Etnologico Municipal is brimming with historical paintings, maps, documents and other artefacts. Particularly fascinating are the somewhat satirical caricatures, which were created by local Peruvian artists Jorge Vinatea Reynoso (1900 to 1931) and depict important Peruvian individuals from the 19th century.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Museo de Arqueologico de Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria

Address: Cruz Verde 303, Arequipa, Peru, PE
Tel: +51 054 95 9636
Managed by the city's university, the Museo de Arqueologico de Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria is where you will find a series of interesting displays relating to local archaeological excavations. Students are on hand to guide you around the exhibits, which include a rather impressive collection of ancient ceramics, which remain very well preserved.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children