Plaza de Yanahuara

This is one of the charming places of Arequipa. We discovered it one day while out walking and I wanted Alison to see it for the first time in the same way but we arrived by taxi.

The plaza is known for its mirador - lookout. It has a clear view over the tops of nearby houses to the volcano Misty.
Looking Towards Misty

It is just a pretty little park with nice old buildings surrounding it.

A View of the Park

Do we look like we are relaxed. That's the operative word around here.
Andy and Olga

It is interesting that you come here to see beautiful things in the distance - the volcano, for example. But they make the place where you are standing just as beautiful in its own way; perhaps even more so.
The Arches

The arches you see all have carved quotes from famous Arequpeños. People come here to admire and remember.

Of course, there is always a church.

The Church of Plaza Yanahuara

Arequipa is called the White City because of the building stone called sillar. It is very manageable so the stone work and carving can be extraordinary.

Below the arches there is a large pergola of sorts with lots of pillars and a vine overhead. Pigeons sit on top of the pillars and shit on you if you are not careful.
Pergola


Opposite the church is the municipality building. Thus it is in every plaza in the country. What I like about it is the front door.

La Municipalidad de Yanahuara

Even the trees are beautiful here. What tree wouldn't be with a manicure (or is it pedicure) like that.

Well-groomed tree

Just off the plaza there is a small street; typical of the hidden-away kind of place you find here.
Callejon del Cabildo

The carving over the arch says,

Vaga junto al fogon de la ramada 
El alma popular que fué senera, 
Que si supo llorar junto a la amada, 
Supo tambien morir en la trinchera.


Alberto Ballon Landa 1885-1964. 

Some day I'll translate it.


Finally, one more look at those arches. I'm sorry I didn't actually photograph all of the quotes over all the arches.

The arches again