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SOUTH AMERICA TOURS

Untouched spirituality in Santa Catalina Monastery

Staying closed to the public until 1970, the Santa Catalina Monastery offers Peru tours a wondrous look at the country’s spiritual and colonial roots.

Vivid walls of azure and deep reds highlight the monastery’s colonial architecture, which has remained largely unscathed since it was built in the 16th century. Vaulted brick ceilings allow the monastery to receive ample sunlight, and provides travelers with perfect conditions to inspect the Novices Cloister’s antique wall paintings, depicting the Litanies of the Rosary as well as the moral qualities that the monastery’s devoted followers work to uphold.

The 30 nuns who make their home at the monastery range in age from 18 to 90, and are very welcoming to guests. Travelers can usually see the women during their daily activities, including a friendly volleyball match, their daily prayers or while speaking with visitors.

Guests who can’t get enough of the monastery’s lovely gardens, colorful narrow walkways and beautiful terraces can spend the night in one of the colonial rooms, and can dine at the nearby courtyard cafe for some fine Peruvian grub.

Posted: December 28, 2011

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