Iglesia de la Compania
A 17th-century Jesuit church just off the Plaza de Armas, famous for its intricately carved sillar-stone facade and jungle-motif chapel murals.
- Address: General Moran & Alvarez Thomas, corner of the Plaza de Armas, Arequipa
- District: Cercado, Arequipa
- Category: historic church
Iglesia de la Compania sits on the southeast corner of Arequipa's Plaza de Armas, built by the Jesuit order between the 17th and 18th centuries. Its main facade is one of the finest examples of Arequipa's mestizo baroque style: European baroque forms carved directly into the white volcanic sillar stone but filled with local motifs -- native fruits, flowers, and figures -- worked in relief with a density and precision that has made it one of the most photographed facades in the city. Inside, the church retains its carved wooden altarpieces, but the highlight for most visitors is the adjoining Capilla de San Ignacio (Chapel of San Ignacio), whose domed ceiling and walls are covered in vividly painted murals of tropical jungle flora, fauna, and hunting scenes -- a striking, almost surreal contrast to the sober stone exterior. The church and its former Jesuit cloisters, which now house shops, are an easy add-on to any walk around the Plaza de Armas.
Highlights
- Elaborately carved mestizo baroque facade in white sillar stone, right on the Plaza de Armas
- Capilla de San Ignacio -- a chapel with a polychrome dome and walls painted in jungle-motif murals
- Carved wooden altarpieces inside the main nave
- Former Jesuit cloisters next door, now home to artisan shops
Ideal for
- a quick stop while exploring the Plaza de Armas
- architecture and colonial-art enthusiasts
- photographers -- the facade detail rewards a closer look
Practical information
- Hours
- Daily, roughly 9:00am-noon and 3:00pm-6:00pm (hours can shift for religious services -- confirm locally)
- Price
- Free to enter the main church; a small ticket (around S/10, a few dollars) is charged to visit the Capilla de San Ignacio and its museum area
- Good to know
- Look up at the facade from across the street or from the plaza first -- the carving is dense and easy to miss up close. Modest dress is expected since it remains an active church.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee for Iglesia de la Compania?
The main church is free to enter. A small ticket fee applies to visit the Capilla de San Ignacio and its museum area.
Is there a dress code?
Yes, modest dress is expected since it remains an active church.
How long does a visit take?
It's a quick stop -- 20-30 minutes covers the main nave, the carved facade, and the Capilla de San Ignacio.
What's the highlight inside the church?
The Capilla de San Ignacio, whose domed ceiling and walls are covered in vividly painted murals of tropical jungle flora, fauna and hunting scenes -- a striking contrast to the sober stone exterior.
What are the visiting hours?
Daily, roughly 9:00am-noon and 3:00pm-6:00pm, though hours can shift for religious services -- worth confirming locally.
How far is it from the Plaza de Armas?
It sits directly on the southeast corner of the Plaza de Armas, about a 1-minute walk, making it an easy add-on to a plaza visit.