Canteras de Sillar
Peru
We continue with the journey to the quarries; the place where the white city originated, we will enter the Sillar Quarries where we will observe the immense cliffs worked by human hands. After an explanation by the guide and some magnificent photos we will have an experiential time to share and interact with these peculiar characters the ancient technique of ashlar extraction that is still preserved from the colonial era to the present day.
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the magnificent Canteras de Sillar, specifically the Anashuayco quarry, located in the Cerro Colorado district just outside the bustling center of Arequipa, Peru. As you stand at the threshold of this vast geological…
Listen in the app2The Entrance Gate and the Taste of Arequipa
Our journey physically begins here at the main access point to the Anashuayco quarry. Reaching this spot requires a bit of an urban adventure if you travel independently, navigating the local transit system from the Grau Bridge…
Listen in the app3The Master Stonecutter's Workshop
Moving deeper into the canyon, the towering white walls begin to reveal the scars of human industry, bringing us to an active extraction site where the maestro canteros, or master stonecutters, perform their grueling daily labor.…
Listen in the app4The Facade of the Arequipa Cathedral
As we continue along the dusty, sun-drenched pathway, the rugged, utilitarian scars of the quarry suddenly give way to a breathtaking display of artistic mastery. Rising from the floor of the canyon is a massive, meticulously…
Listen in the app5The City Coat of Arms and the Artist's Inspiration
Following the curve of the canyon wall, our next stop brings us face-to-face with a grand, monumental carving of the official coat of arms of Arequipa. This emblem, bestowed upon the city by King Charles the First of Spain in the…
Listen in the app6The Arena of the Stone Bulls
A short walk further down the bright, dusty corridor of the quarry reveals a dramatic and highly dynamic scene erupting from the canyon wall. Here, the stonecutters have immortalized one of Arequipa's most fiercely guarded and…
Listen in the app7The Facade of Petra in the Andes
As the canyon walls widen slightly, preparing to reveal the next grand spectacle, you arrive at what is undeniably the most heavily photographed and internationally recognized sculpture within the entire Anashuayco route.…
Listen in the app8The Manger and the Throne of Chapi
Moving gently away from the towering classical architecture of the Petra replica, the pathway leads us into a quieter, deeply spiritual alcove of the quarry. Here, the sheer walls of the canyon have been transformed into a…
Listen in the app9The Modern Sculptures and Extraterrestrial Dreams
As we approach the final designated stops along the primary tourist corridor of the Anashuayco quarry, the thematic focus of the carvings undergoes a fascinating, almost whimsical shift. Leaving behind the heavy, solemn weight of…
Listen in the app10Closing
As our journey through the blinding white corridors of the Canteras de Sillar draws to a close, it is essential to pause and reflect on the precarious reality of this breathtaking landscape. The serene beauty and timeless…
Listen in the app
What is Canteras de Sillar?
Canteras de Sillar is a place in Peru with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Peru |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | -16.3379, -71.5426 |
| Last updated |