Chiguata, is a disctrict in Arequipa, a tourist place that must be visited.
The traditional town of Chiguata is located between the Yura and Calera geological formations, at 2,970 meters above sea level, 30 km. from the city of Arequipa, the prevailing climate is frigid, dry, variable, with strong sun during the day and temperatures below zero at night, characteristics of the Sunni region, in addition to being responsible for the origin of its name, being the word Chiguata the union of two Quechua words; Chiri which means cold and wata which means year, then it would be cold throughout the year, in the same way, other authors mention that Chiguata appears as chiri: cold and Watay: tie or tie, therefore Chiguata would mean place where the cold is tied or tie up.
The Chiguata area has been inhabited even before the expansion of the Inca empire; but the Spaniards, upon their arrival, founded this town on January 22, 1540, the date on which it was delivered to Diego de Hernández and which is currently recognized as the anniversary of the district.
On the other hand, Chiguata has been endowed in its surroundings with a spectacular beauty, its characteristic landscape is the fields made up of terraces, whose areas are dedicated to agriculture with the background of the Barroso mountain chain and the ravines that cross the surface of a rugged geography; the town of Chiguata, still maintains its local architecture, the houses and other constructions are located between small cobbled streets, they are made of stone and mud with a gabled roof of straw with mud or calamine and in some cases the date of construction they are presented carved on the stone portals with the years 1904, 1910, 1915 and 1919, in addition to using eucalyptus wood beams inside, a very common tree in the area, as a curious element in the eyes of the foreigner, we have the stoves on a clay platform, often with cavities in the lower part to raise the guinea pigs.
Likewise, the square that it presents in the middle of the town in ancient times was characterized by being a square full of Eucalyptus trees, which over time has become a square remodeled with stone, cement, pine trees and a variety of flowers, with monuments that show activities typical of the area such as the plow with a team and a Pampas carrying her sweater over the pool.
Another attractive aspect of said town is the church of the Holy Spirit, which is located in front of the entrance to the Chiguata square when coming from Arequipa, this church is of colonial style, in the shape of a Latin cross, with two entrance doors, with a baroque style on the side portal, it also has a dome, in which 24 carved figures are distinguished, including cherubs, rosettes, saints and other ornaments.
The typical gastronomy that is prepared in the town of Chiguata is the pepián de Cuy, Cuy Chactado and the Zango; Its patron saint festival is that of the Lord of the Holy Spirit, which is celebrated in the month of June, with the 12th being the central day and the practice of ancestral traditions such as respect and payment to the land.
According to the project, the tourist route will be carried out through four points such as the ascent to the Misti and Pichu Pichu volcanoes, a visit to the Inca terraces and the Holy Spirit church, which has a unique carved dome with these characteristics in the country.
But these are not the only tourist attractions in this district. We can also find archaeological complexes, petroglyphs, the cemetery, waterfalls and other attractions that are not yet promoted.
In pre-Inca and Inca times, the ascent to the Misti volcano was carried out on the side of the Chiguata district, which is more accessible, but currently mountaineers prefer to ascend the guardian volcano of Arequipa through the Alto Selva Alegre district.
Chiguata has a spectacular landscape made up of terraces and still preserves the houses built of stone and mud with gabled roofs supported by eucalyptus sticks and its cobblestone streets.
The Holy Spirit Church from the colonial era has two doors that have a baroque style and in its dome you can see 24 carved figures of saints, cherubs and other ornaments.
Chiguata is located 30 kilometers northeast of the city of Arequipa, with a variable climate, predominantly cold as it is located at 2,970 meters above sea level and is close to the Misti and Pichu Pichu volcanoes.