The Yanahuara Viewpoint is one of the most important tourist places in the city of Arequipa. Located in a traditional neighborhood that bears the same name, it conquers its visitors with its narrow cobbled streets and its old houses made of ashlar and framed by its typical orchards.
And the ashlar became art. The Yanahuara Viewpoint offers a privileged view of Arequipa from its white arches that unite Misti, Pichu Pichu and Chachani, the emblematic volcanoes of Arequipa, in a single embrace.
From its imposing height, more than 2300 meters above sea level, the entire city is also dominated, with its puzzle of cobbled alleys and colonial buildings.
This tourist attraction draws attention for its beautiful ashlar arches, which serve as portals to enter the viewpoint that offers the best view of Arequipa. From its balconies, located at 2,343 meters high, you can see the White City that contrasts with the natural wonders that surround it, these being the Misti volcano, Chanchani and Pichu Pichu.
Another attraction of the Yanahuara Viewpoint are its writings engraved on ashlar, by illustrious people from the city of Arequipa. Built in the 19th century, the Mirador de Yanahuara is next to the church of San Juan de Yanahuara, a Baroque monument built in 1750.
Location
Yanahuara is located approximately two kilometers from the historic center of the city of Arequipa, a traditional neighborhood with narrow cobbled streets and old ashlar houses with their typical orchards. It is one of the most touristic places in Arequipa.
Description
The Yanahuara Viewpoint, a set of beautiful ashlar arches built during the nineteenth century, due to the location in which it is located, is a must-see, as it allows you to admire the beautiful white city of Arequipa, having a panoramic view of its three volcanoes (Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu). We can also see recorded writings of illustrious people from the city of Arequipa.
Due to its altitude variation parameter, the district has a warm temperate climate in the traditional zone with an average annual temperature that ranges from 15º to 18º, reaching temperatures over 23º. It should be noted that on average there are about 330 days of sunshine a year at 8 a.m. at 5 p.m., with strong and dangerous solar radiation between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. hours, so preventive measures should be taken to protect the skin.
History
Yanahuara is one of the 29 districts of the province of Arequipa, characterized by its narrow streets and old houses with family gardens. The legendary Villa de Yanahuara is one of the most representative neighborhoods of the city of Arequipa, it borders the city center and is part of the main tourist attractions of the province given its rich architectural heritage, composed mainly of three declared monuments: the Temple, convent of San Juan Bautista and the Mirador, next to the main square. It also has 40 buildings and 18 urban environments with monumental value, as well as 6 sculptures scattered on the arches, foot covers, square and streets made in ashlar and bronze carvings.
Except for the Temple of colonial origin, 99% of the architecture is neoclassical and neo-Renaissance style, that is, a large part of its culture was developed on the old colonial structures. It should be noted that, of the totality of foreign tourists who arrive in Arequipa, 80% do not stop visiting the Mirador and
The Church of Yanahuara within the city tours offered by the operating agencies, as well as another 67 tourist spots to be developed that make tourism one of the main strengths of the jurisdiction.
During the pre-Hispanic period, Yanahuara was the most important town in the Arequipa Valley, consolidating itself in the colony. Its history is intimately linked to that of the mystian city, hence the documentation and its presence is rich and abundant. Yanahuara was known by various names. At the beginning it was called Chimba, which means the other band or bank of the river, and included the towns and villages located from Cayma to Tiabaya; later it was called San Juan Bautista de Chimba, as this saint was designated as its patron; finally it took the name of Yanahuara, which means black pants, since the ayllu or town of the Yanahuaras Indians was the most representative of the towns of that time. From 1605 the Spanish tried to rename it La Nueva Segovia. It should be noted that the most important construction work that Arequipa had in the colony was installed in this area; In it, slang, cloths and ponchos were made. This textile manufacturing center was a place of production and training run by the prestigious weaver Francisco López Ballesteros. In addition, this district is inspired with a renewed accent by the mestizo art of Arequipa’s textile masters.
Yanahuara is declared a Villa on November 8, 1870, along with Tiabaya, it is one of the oldest legally created districts in Arequipa. He has had and has an important position in the White City, in it lived characters with regional, national and international renown who developed ideological thoughts that transcended time.
To date, its extension includes up to the high areas of Tambo Cañahuas, which includes Pampa Cañahuas, Chasquipampa and Sumbay. Its climate is temperate and warm in the lower part and frigid in the high Andean region.
Tourism
Yanahuara Church
One of the most representative of Arequipa’s mestizo art and among the most beautiful in Arequipa, with a strategic location that dominates all landscapes. It dates from 1750, built in ashlar, with a baroque façade and sober interior. It is located in the main square of this legendary and picturesque district. Yanahuara viewpoint adorned with ashlar arches with inscriptions of poetic fragments that express the life of Arequipa in the pen of its intellectuals of all times, this traditional viewpoint offers a magnificent view of the city, as well as its imposing volcanoes. It is located on one side of the square. Chilina Valley, located along the Chili River, takes this name from its neighborhood.
It is one of the most beautiful areas of the Arequipa countryside, from here you can see beautiful landscapes, as well as the city, volcanoes and pre-Inca terraces.
It is part of a Tourist Plan, promoted by three districts -Yanahuara, Cayma and Alto Selva Alegre- and through which its intangibility is sought, as well as rescuing the different tourist activities that can be developed in this valley, such as the practice of various sports of adventure.
Sunrise in Yanahuara
Its rocky walls represent human figures, auquénidos, rheas, felines, projectile points, and other artifacts – more than 6000 to 8000 years old – that demonstrate the importance of hunting for the ancient inhabitants of the area.
The amazing glass viewpoint in Yanahuara
This new viewpoint is located very close to the Yanahuara Viewpoint, one of the most popular and popular attractions in the city of Arequipa.
This platform is shaped like a hexagon and is made of tempered glass, which is fastened with cables that can support up to 50 tons of weight. For it to rise, a crane is necessary to raise the platform up to 50 meters high. With this height you will have an unsurpassed view of the city of Arequipa and, above all, of the Misti, one of the most important and emblematic natural places in the region.
After this trip to the heights, you can continue touring and getting to know the city. In the Plaza de Yanahuara it is common for tourists to try one of the most emblematic desserts in the city of Arequipa: frozen cheese. This dessert is a delicacy in Arequipa’s pastries. Likewise, around the Yanahuara viewpoint you can find various restaurants that offer tourists the best offer of Arequipa cuisine, such as the spicy guinea pig or the stuffed rocoto.
How to get?
To get to know this adrenaline-pumping tourist attraction you have to go to the city of Arequipa, or Ciudad Blanca as it is popularly known. To get to Arequipa, you can take various routes from the main cities of Peru.
From Lima, for example, you can take several bus companies such as Rey Latino or Oltursa. On this route, you can find tickets from 80 soles.
From Cusco by bus takes approximately 11 hours and there are several companies that offer this service with departures during the day and at night. Prices range from 70 to 200 soles. In Cusco there are two places you must visit before Machu Picchu: hike to rainbow mountain peru and the humantay lake full day tour.
Arriving in the city of Arequipa, it is necessary that you go to Miguel Grau where the Small Square of Yanahuara and the Museum of Pisco and Wine are also located. Before going up to the crystal Viewpoint in Yanahuara, you can visit these two places that will give you a little knowledge about the history of Arequipa and its culture.
