In July 1665 several brothers from the Order of Barefoot Carmelites arrived in Arequipa. They were sent to Bolivia to found a monastery. But the authorities and citizens wishing to leave the monks have themselves made a request for permission to build a church and convent of the Carmelites in Arequipa. In 1684 he published a royal decree authorizing the construction, and in 1701 was granted a license Viceroy and laid the first stone of the future monastery.

To complete the construction and management of a new monastery in 1710 from Cuzco were nominated three sisters-nuns. The opening and consecration of the church and the monastery was followed by a procession, which was attended by Carmelite monks and nuns, representatives of the authorities and the population of Arequipa.

Originally, the monastery was a small room with cells, a temple and a large garden. In the colonial era and the following years the monastery continued to grow and expand.

After the earthquake in June 2001, the building of churches and monasteries were seriously damaged. For restoration work did not have their own funds, so we had to open part of the monastery for the public to share the rich artistic heritage, gathered at the monastery for 300 years of its existence. For example, in 2005 the monastery was opened Museum of Religious Art of Santa Teresa. In its 12 exhibition halls can be seen more than 300 unique works of art, including paintings of Cusco School, sculptures and jewelry on religious themes, as well as everyday objects of the colonial era, are in the special exhibition stands with constant monitoring of temperature and humidity.

At the beginning of the tour of the museum you will pass through the alley of flowers and see the wonderful interior patio with a fountain Huamanga made of stone. Visit the monastic cells and get acquainted with the living conditions of the nuns, inspect administrative building with richly decorated rococo tower and four bells. At noon, you can transfer to a couple of centuries ago, when you hear the sound of bells and melodious singing nuns in Latin, and Spanish. The thematic exhibition halls of the museum, you can learn the history of the Carmelite Order and the history of the Monastery of Santa Teresa de Arequipa. At the end of the visit you can taste sweets and cakes prepared by the nuns according to ancient recipes, or buy handmade soap rose petals.