Just two blocks south of the Plaza de Armas in Arequipa, the walls of Santa Catalina Monastery housed almost 200 secluded nuns and 300 servants until it opened to the public in 1970. Calle Toledo, a long, very narrow street that's the oldest part of the monastery, connects the main dwelling areas with the lavanderia, or communal washing sector.

©Erwin Bakx 2001