Plaza de Armas of Arequipa, Main square in Arequipa, Peru
Plaza de Armas of Arequipa is the central square in Arequipa, Peru, surrounded by white stone buildings and a large cathedral with two towers. At its center stands a bronze fountain with three tiers, encircled by arcaded walkways and planted beds.
The city founders laid out the square in 1540 and used it as a starting point for the colonial street grid. Over the centuries the ensemble was rebuilt several times after earthquakes, with the current form of the cathedral dating from the 19th century.
Three bronze tiers form the fountain at the center of the square, crowned by a small figure named Tuturutu holding a trumpet. This detail recalls the communication between Inca rulers and their troops, who coordinated through horn signals.
The entire square is closed to cars, making it easy to walk back and forth between the buildings. The surrounding arcades offer shade and lead to shops and cafés where you can rest if needed.
The surrounding buildings are made of sillar, a white volcanic stone quarried from nearby sources. This stone stores warmth during the day and releases it at night, naturally moderating indoor temperatures.
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