Iglesia Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa Church), Arequipa

The Santa Rosa Church (Iglesia Santa Rosa) is a small but historic church that forms part of the Santa Rosa Monastery, founded in 1747 by Dominican nuns. Originally intended for the city of Moquegua, the monastery was instead built in the historic centre of Arequipa, on the corner of Santa Rosa passage and San Pedro Street. Dedicated to Saint Rose of Lima, the first saint of the Americas, the church has served as a place of prayer and reflection for centuries while remaining home to a cloistered community of Dominican nuns.

Architecturally, the church reflects Arequipa’s signature style, built from white volcanic ashlar stone that earned the city its nickname, the “White City.” Its design includes arches, pillars, and a prominent bell tower, elements that lend the complex the appearance of a small fortress or castle. The carved ashlar portal on San Pedro Street leads into the main nave, where mass is still celebrated. Another entrance, from Santa Rosa passage, opens onto a peaceful patio and a small shop where visitors can purchase traditional sweets prepared by the nuns, offering a glimpse into their quiet, self-sustaining life.

For tourists, the Iglesia Santa Rosa provides both a historical and spiritual experience. It offers a chance to admire the craftsmanship of Arequipa’s traditional architecture while also encountering the living faith of a cloistered order that has preserved its traditions for over two centuries. Visitors can step into the peaceful church, wander through the monastery courtyard, or taste the sweets prepared by the nuns, discovering a setting where history, faith, and everyday life come together.