Overview:

The Monastery of Santa Catalina in Huancayo, Peru, is a seventeenth-century convent built in the baroque style. The convent is a popular tourist destination and is known for its beautiful interior and gardens. Inside, visitors can view the cloistered nuns in their traditional habits as well as relics from the Spanish colonial era. The Monastery of Santa Catalina also boasts a library of important works and historical documents relating to the colonial period. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Peru
Prominent Features:

The Monastery of Santa Catalina in Huancayo is a beautiful colonial-style building and a significant attraction in Peru. It was built in the late 18th century and is one of the best-preserved colonial religious structures in Peru. It features ornate portals, wooden altars, and elaborate murals that cover an area of about 4,000 square meters. The monastery’s architecture is a mix of the baroque and neoclassical styles, as well as some indigenous influences. Inside the monastery are five courtyards, several cloisters, and a bell tower. The monastery also houses works of art, such as the popular painting of Our Lady of Huancayo and a beautiful fountain. Visitors can explore the complex for a fee and can also take in the beautiful views from the bell tower. The Monastery of Santa Catalina in Huancayo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Peru.

History:

The Monastery of Santa Catalina was founded by Franciscan friar Francisco, a man of great faith and devotion, in Huancayo, Peru, in 1689. The monastery is located near the original site of Huancayo in the district of Chupaca, department of Junin. This monastery was part of the 'sierras orientales' of Peru and was built on a strategic site for both religious and military purposes. The economy and social structure of Huancayo was deeply marked by the presence of the Franciscan friars who brought culture, education, industry and faith to the area. The Monastery of Santa Catalina was the first of its kind to be built east of the Andes. It was built with a chapel and three courtyards, the church facing the east, with surrounding stone walls and bastions located at strategic sites for defense. It was built with the intention of spreading the faith that was brought by the friars. The Residents of Santa Catalina Monastery lead a stern life, as is typical of most religious orders in that era. They were emissaries of the Franciscan order who lived in the monastery and did not leave it except on important occasions. They were, however, known for their hospitality, accepting everyone warmly, especially those who visited in a spirit of inquiry and were greeted with a special courtesy. The beautiful architecture of the monastery, its rich history and the cultural and religious values of its residents make the Monastery of Santa Caterina a unique phenomenon in Huancayo. Through its presence, it continues to be a source of pride for the people of Huancayo and a profound source of reflection and meditation. Visit one of the famous monuments of Peru with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Monastery of Santa Catalina was founded in 1580 by Don Lorenzo de Zahara y Malagamba and is considered one of the oldest architectural heritages in Huancayo. 2. It is believed to be the only classic-style style monastery built in Peru during colonial times. 3. The Monastery of Santa Catalina was built using traditional methods and materials, incorporating andesite, wood, and rammed earth. 4. It is located on a small hill, which overlooks the city of Huancayo and its impressive valley. 5. The Monastery of Santa Catalina is home to a community of nuns and priests who belong to the Dominican Order. 6. The Monastery of Santa Catalina was declared a National Cultural Heritage by the Ministerial Resolution in 1998. 7. Visitors to the monastery have the opportunity to appreciate its beauty and the art it contains, including sculptures and paintings from the late colonial and republican periods. 8. The Monastery of Santa Catalina hosts the annual Corpus de Huancayo procession, an important religious event for the city. One of the historical monuments of Peru, it tells the story of a bygone era