Patron saint celebrated in Peru: 10-01-2008
Peru's second largest city after Lima, Arequipa, celebrates its patron saint with a festival that opens up unexplored areas of the city.
The Festival de Sor Ana de Los Angeles de Monteagudo celebrates the patron saint of the Santa Catalina monastery.
Holidaymakers visiting the area during the festival will be able to explore the convent, which was not open until 1970.
The convent used to be home to over 400 nuns and it makes up a large area meaning there is a lot for visitors to explore.
Now the public have access to the convent, some of its lesser known secrets have been revealed including an iron chastity belt and a cat-o-nine-tails that are on display.
The city of Arequipa is reminiscent of a Spanish town, its white walled buildings having earned it the named, La Ciudad Blanca, which translates as the White City.
Much or Peru's culture is rooted in Spanish tradition but for a unique insight into Peruvian culture holidaymakers are advised to visit the ancient city of Machu Picchu, the pre-Columbian Inca site.
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