Arequipa Attractions

Museo Santuarios Andinos (Museum of Andean Sanctuaries)

The small museum’s most famous attraction is the 600 year old frozen body of Juanita, the young Inca girl who was discovered in near perfect condition on top of the Ampato Volcano in 1995. She was killed as a sacrificial offering to the mountain gods and buried in a tomb with a number of funeral offerings that are also on display in the museum, along with other ice mummies found on the mountain. The body had been encased in ice and preserved by the freezing temperatures on the 20,000ft (6,000m) peak for hundreds of years, and was found after a volcanic eruption melted the ice and exposed the tomb. The Ice Maiden is displayed in a refrigerated glass case, and analysis of her DNA has afforded great insights into the Inca culture. An interesting video documents the discovery and is included as part of the compulsory tour.

Address: Santa Catalina 210; Telephone: (0)54 200 345; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.45pm, and Sunday 9am to 3pm; Admission: S/. 15, concessions available