The city of Arequipa is famous for the many palaces and colonial mansions built there during the Spanish occupation. One of them is the Casa del Moral, which was built around 1730. Its main feature is that it is made of sillar, a volcanic stone used to build several buildings in the city center. Inside, there is a collection of various objects and treasures from the colonial period.
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Casa del Moral owes its name to the old mulberry tree located in its main courtyard. Its sillar stone façade is one of its most outstanding elements and preserves the noble coat of arms of Manuel Santos de San Pedro. Over time, the mansion had different owners and was restored in the 20th century to preserve its architectural, cultural, and tourist value.
Today, Casa del Moral functions as a house museum and cultural space. Inside its rooms, visitors can appreciate period furniture, works of art, inner courtyards, and architectural details typical of Arequipa’s mestizo Baroque style.
It is located at 318 Moral Street, two blocks from the Santa Catalina Convent and one block from the Plaza de Armas, in the historic center of the city of Arequipa.
It houses furniture from the colonial and republican periods. The sillar stone façade is one of the most representative examples of Arequipa’s civil architecture. It features carved figures, such as a crown above a shield supported by two angels. The shield includes elements such as a castle, a bird, a puma, and two crossed keys.
Inside, visitors can also appreciate works of art, including some pieces linked to the Cusco School, as well as restored spaces that show what traditional mansions in Arequipa were like.
Visiting hours are usually Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On holidays, the schedule may vary. The entrance fee is referential and may change, so it is recommended to confirm the current rate before your visit.
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