Arequipa is located in the south of the country surrounded by desert and giant volcanoes, it is Peru's second city and capital of the Arequipa Region. The centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) has some beautiful colonial architecture and is built from a locally quarried volcanic rock called sillar which gives the buildings a unique style. Notable monuments include the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, the distinctive cathedral and Plaza de Armas and many colonial churches.
