Located in the south of the country, the so-called "White City" abounds with colonial buildings constructed with white volcanic stone, which have been perfectly preserved throughout the centuries. The pretty Plaza de Armas forms the city core, bordered on one side by a Jesuit church founded in 1689. There are many fine restored mansions and churches, such as San Agustin with its churrigueresque (Spanish Rococo Style) facade, being the main religious monument the Santa Catalina Monastery, a flowering complex of buildings that once sheltered a community of 400 nuns. A popular visit from Arequipa is the Colca Canyon, the deepest in the world, where one can still see condors in their original habitat. The best way to visit Colca is on an overnight trip.
