“Did you know that the Iglesia La Recoleta’s tower is older than the rest of the church?” I ask my group. This stunning example of Neo-Gothic architecture in Arequipa is a fascinating blend of history and design. We stand before its imposing facade. The Iglesia La Recoleta isn’t just a church it’s a testament to perseverance and community spirit.
Construction began on the tower in 1909. It was built from sillar a local white volcanic stone. The first section was completed within a year. Work then stalled. It wasn’t until 1925 that construction resumed. Finally the tower was inaugurated on October 4 1926. Imagine the excitement.
But the tower stands alone for many years. The main church body wasn’t built until later. The second phase started in 1936. It finished in 1940. Fray Alberto Gridilla a priest and artist designed the church. Engineer Luis Santisteban provided the plans.
The completed Iglesia La Recoleta is quite a sight. It was inaugurated on October 14 1940. President Manuel Prado Ugarteche was the godfather. The newspaper La Colmena described it as a beautiful three-nave temple artistic spacious and well-shared. The government contributed six hundred barrels of cement. This highlights the collaborative effort involved in the building of Iglesia La Recoleta.
Sadly the church’s original beauty is somewhat obscured today. Many layers of paint hide the sillar and reinforced concrete. It deserves better. It needs a restoration to reveal its true Neo-Gothic glory. This modest example of Neo-Gothic architecture in Peru deserves recognition. It’s different from the style seen in Lima. It is a unique and remarkable piece of Arequipa’s heritage. The Iglesia La Recoleta is much more than just a building. It’s a story in stone. A story waiting to be fully unveiled.