Church of the Company of Jesus, Church in Arequipa, Peru
The Église de la Compagnie de Jésus is a Jesuit church from the 16th century in the heart of Arequipa, Peru, built from the white volcanic stone typical of the city. The mestizo baroque façade has two stories covered in dense relief carvings, while inside there is a gilded main altar, a pulpit covered in gold leaf, and the San Ignacio chapel with its colorful decoration.
Construction of the church began in 1578 under the direction of the Jesuits, who had recently arrived in Arequipa, but an earthquake in 1582 destroyed much of the work. Rebuilding started in 1590, and the structure was repaired and altered several times over the centuries following further earthquakes, including those of 1687 and 1868.
The façade of the church features carvings that mix Christian motifs with Andean elements, such as animals, plants, and local symbols. At the top, the figure of the Archangel Michael is carved in the white volcanic stone that defines so many of the city's buildings.
The church sits at the corner of General Morán Street and the Plaza de Armas, making it easy to reach on foot from the city center. Morning visits tend to be quieter, and it is worth noting that the cloisters and the San Ignacio chapel may have separate entry conditions.
The cloisters, completed in 1677, are covered in relief sculptures depicting figures and scenes so detailed that they resemble book illustrations. This level of carved storytelling in a cloister setting is rare in the region and reflects the ambition of the Jesuit community that commissioned them.
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