Blinding white stone
Among the colonial architecture I find the one produced by Jesuits the most successful in its adaptation to the “new” world. The earthquakes wiped out several colonial buildings from other organizations but the proportioned and clean Jesuit buildings survive. These are from the Compañía de Jesús in Arequipa city. I studied in that city so I had opportunity to visit it more times.
About shadows and doors
I haven’t taken many photographs inside because although I don’t profess or be part of any religion I prefer to don’t disturb the rituals inside. This building was built with native hands and European plans in 1578 by Gaspar Baéz, an earthquake destroyed it and in 1586 Diego Felipe rebuilt again. It’s made with white volcanic stone and there is in part Incan religion in the sculpted walls, non Christian creatures as mermaids and of course Christian symbols. It’s a public place so you can enter freely.
I photographed mainly the cloisters that consist in three patios, each smaller than the previous one. White walls, here or any place, have the characteristic to change with the colors of the sky, because that I divide the post in four moments:
Day
White walls a shadow and a blue sky
/o_-\
geraniums
OMG! What are they doing?!
little patio
Overcast light
I opened my third eye
Sequence and rhythm
business meeting
Ofrenda silenciosa
Afternoon
open to the infinite
let’s trascend to the sky
Hidden columns
Indifferent love
Heads saying bye to the sun
My mind in other world of words
Magic moon and intense colors
Soft light filling these walls
I walk and think in that heart upon me
La calma del atardecer en muros lejanos
Twilight
Colors in the blue hour
Painted with light
Still waiting
Colors of ancient night
Amazing sky upon the old walls
Blue night
Communication of opposites
Invisible orbits
inside the palaces of mind
About half moons, archs and a dome
Qhapaq 
Beautiful Francis, thank you so much for showing these images.
Thanks Karen, I enjoy too seeing your place in the world n_n
Really great shots, and the architecture seems to have been influenced by the Spanish Moores.
Take care and enjoy,
Salva :)
Danke! Yes, that’s true Salva :-) Actually there is influence from the Moorish Spain not just in architecture but also in food and language. There is also French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and in the jungle German culture too in Peru. In the case of this cloister the style is called Andean Baroque.
Best wishes,
Francis.
This means I have to come to Peru the one or other day, right? … :D
You wouldn’t be the first German in Peru herr Salva. I want to see this German movie once filmed in our jungle:
There are German communities in the jungle too) I know you could have a strange feeling to be in home =)
Ah, that crazy Klaus Kinski … :)
If ever I have a chance to come to Peru, I’ll let you know in advance; and may be we could enjoy the one or other cup of tea together. ;)
Thanks for the trust, Salva. I’ll do my best to be a good guest.
I feel honoured; thank you so much!
:-)
Fantastic photographs, Francis. Thank you for sharing. :)
You’re welcome Georgette. I’m happy that they can bring joy to your soul of poet ^_^
@colonial architecture… souvenirs des conquistadores espagnols… some of you pix have reminded me of… Catholic Malta!:-) buenas noches y hasta proxima, l’artiste!:-)
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@compania de Jesus… I recall a dialogue from “O’ Brother, where art thou?”, between George Clooney and John Turturro after the character George Nelson has robbed a bank:”remember that Jesus saves, but George Nelson withdraws!”:-)))
Although built in the beginning of the colonial age it’s not completely Spanish (there is nothing like that, if I’m not wrong, in Spain). Our ancestors sculpted the rock and did figures as amarus (equivalent to the European Ouroboros) and representations of our jungle, the province Anti (similar to the Eden garden) so it’s one of the oldest examples of Peruvian culture, different to the Spanish and Inca culture. I think also a bit in the photographs I saw of Jerusalem, there was a frenzy mood to build churches it seems. (btw the cloisters have now no religious use, it’s stores for ice-cream, jewels, artisanal hats, etcetera)
hmm, I think I didn’t see the movie (in our culture the worst crime is to rob) but the line has a funny pun XD
Hasta la próxima Mélanie, gracias por tu visita ^_^
merci-gracias for your info… si, claro que si: church construction frenzy has been like X-mas shopping madness that has continued for decades…;-))) I’m such a “sinner”, right?!… well, take(accept!) me or leave me, but then again: if you leave me, it’s gonna be YOUR loss, not mine…:-)))
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@”(btw the cloisters have now no religious use, it’s stores for ice-cream, jewels, artisanal hats, etcetera) – vivent les touristes et le commerce!!!;-)))
hmmm, you are a sinner… then my best suggestion would be: Do good but if you do wrong then invite me ;-)
I accept you, with all your virtues and “sins” :-)
Hi Francis. Another beautiful poem by far country Peru. Thank you for show interesting architecture in beautiful brightly colored light shades. Views are restful and allow you to move in time in distant era. I wish you a nice day my dear friend. Pozdrawiam, Greetings from a distant land called Poland. Wanda
Thanks for the greetings from the beautiful Poland :-) Glad that you find a rest feeling in them. Best wishes,
Francis.
Gorgeous photos! You have a great eye. I visited Arequipa in 1979 and thought it to be one of the most beautiful cities. All that white stone! I remember buying fresh strawberries in el mercado, they were so delicious!
Thanks for your kindness Eliza, I’m glad you like them and it’s interesting that we have been in the same city.
The market still have those tasty fruits from the local countryside, the coast and the jungle, although now there are so many malls, but the downtown is still the same :-)
Such an stunning post Francis. Great, indeed.
Best regards, Aquileana:D
They’re just photographs made in hours of laziness XP, thanks for the visit, Aquileana.
Best regards,
Francis.
Great post! You can really see the mood of the place changing throughout the day. I particularly liked “communication of opposites” for the colors of sky and stone.
Can I ask, are you going to be in Arequipa some time next week? I’m heading in that direction, and I know that I’ve asked to meet you before, but I wanted to ask again :)
I’m glad you liked it and I’ll be happy to show you the place, it’s public!
I was travelling but yes, next week I’ve time so it’s going to be nice to talk a bit ^_^ Happy travel Melissa. Take care.
Great! I’ll be in Arequipa by Monday the 20th. Let me know when you’re available :)
I had some meetings with prime ministers and the King of Nigeria (he wants to seal a deal with me) but… bah! I’ll let that all to pass. Can I write to your mail? when every comment is done and you’ve configured your mail to receive WordPress notifications it show the mail you used.
lol! The King of Nigeria can wait! This meeting has been six months in the making :)
Yes – please use the email address on my comments.
oki doki :-)