Arequipa, the architectural jewel of southern Peru, wouldn’t be the same without sillar, that white stone of volcanic origin that shaped churches, mansions, and entire neighborhoods. More than a building material, sillar is the symbol of resistance, beauty, and tradition of the White City.
Discover the history, volcanic origin, and cultural importance of sillar in Arequipa’s architecture, and understand why Arequipa was declared a World Cultural Heritage site.
Contents
What is Sillar?
Sillar is an igneous stone, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions that left ignimbrite deposits in the valleys of the Chili River. Thanks to its porosity, lightness, and ease of carving, this rock became the ideal material for building homes, churches, and monumental structures.
Geological origin: It was formed more than 2 million years ago, a product of explosions from the Chachani volcano and its surroundings.
Colors: Although the best known is white sillar, it is also found in pink, yellow, and gray tones, depending on its mineral composition.
Main extraction area: The Añashuayco quarries, on the outskirts of Arequipa, are the heart of the Sillar Route, where blocks are still carved by hand today, just as they were centuries ago.
The History of Sillar in Arequipa
The city of Arequipa was founded by the Spanish in 1540, but long before that, ancient inhabitants already used sillar to build their homes near the Chili River. With the arrival of the conquistadors, the use of sillar intensified, especially after the earthquake of 1582, when an ambitious urban plan was initiated.
First major sillar building: The Church of the Society of Jesus, whose construction began in 1595, marked the beginning of a unique architectural style.
Artistic fusion: The Andean or Mestizo Baroque style was born, where sillar became a canvas for sculpting figures from the Andean worldview, such as pumas, mermaids, suns, moons, and flowers.
Intelligent reconstruction: After each earthquake, sillar was key to building more resistant structures, which consolidated its use in homes, temples, and bridges.
Sillar Architecture
Sillar is not only functional; it is also aesthetic. Its ability to be carved allowed for the development of a unique architectural art on the continent.
Construction characteristics:
- Light yet firm, ideal for dry climates like Arequipa’s.
- Easy to work for ornamental details and religious sculptures.
- Adaptable to various structures: arches, vaults, columns, and domes.
Cultural ornamentation:
The Cusco school of art influenced the carving of figures in sillar, which today decorate churches and mansions such as:
- The Cloister of the Society of Jesus.
- The Casa del Moral, a jewel of Arequipa’s Baroque style.
- The arches of the Santa Catalina Convent.
Traditional Neighborhoods of Arequipa
Civil constructions also took advantage of sillar’s virtues. In traditional neighborhoods like Yanahuara, San Lázaro, and Cayma, it is still possible to see mansions with tile roofs, thick walls, and decorated doorways.
Emblematic neighborhoods:
- Yanahuara: famous for its arches, viewpoint, and narrow cobblestone streets.
- San Lázaro: considered the oldest neighborhood in Arequipa, with streets that seem taken from the 17th century.
- Vallecito: where sillar facades are still seen mixed with modern styles.
Sillar Route
Today, sillar not only represents the past but also a living tourist attraction. In the Añashuayco quarry, artisans work the sillar with ancestral techniques, offering a cultural spectacle for those who wish to know the soul of the White City.
What to see:
- Monumental sculptures made from sillar blocks.
- The traditional extraction and carving process.
- Explanatory panels about the volcanic history of Arequipa.
Recommendation: Take the Sillar Route with a local guide to better understand the cultural, historical, and geological importance of this stone.
Arequipa, the White City Born from Fire and Sculpted in Stone
Sillar didn’t just build Arequipa; it defined it. It gave it identity, color, character, and resistance. Today, its architecture is admired worldwide, and walking its streets is like walking through centuries of volcanic history, Andean tradition, and mestizo art.