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Museum · Arequipa, Arequipa
Museo Santuarios Andinos
Museum of the Universidad Católica de Santa María that houses Juanita, the Inca girl offered in sacrifice on the Ampato volcano and found frozen in 1995, and the offerings discovered in the high-altitude sanctuaries.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museo Santuarios Andinos
The Museo Santuarios Andinos, of the Universidad Católica de Santa María, is one block from the Plaza de Armas and is dedicated to the Inca sanctuaries high in the mountains of southern Peru. The centerpiece is Juanita, the Lady of Ampato, a girl of about 13 offered in sacrifice by the Incas on the summit of the Ampato volcano, over 6,000 meters high, more than 500 years ago.
The body was found in September 1995 by anthropologist Johan Reinhard and Peruvian mountaineer Miguel Zárate, after the eruption of the neighboring Sabancaya volcano melted part of Ampato's ice. Frozen, it was very well preserved, with fabrics, hair and organs, which allowed study of diet, health and the ritual. Juanita is displayed in a refrigerated case at below‑zero temperature.
The visit is guided and begins with a documentary about the expedition. The rooms show the offerings found with her and with other children on the region's summits: gold, silver and shell figurines dressed in miniature clothes, pottery, textiles and everyday objects. The guide explains the capacocha, the Inca ritual that took children to the mountains.
In some months of the year, for conservation reasons, Juanita may be replaced by another of the children found in the sanctuaries. Photography inside the museum is not allowed. Confirm opening hours before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour for the guided visit.
Best time
In the morning or afternoon, at the scheduled guided-visit times, which run in groups in Spanish and English. Confirm times before you go.
How to get there
Located on La Merced Street, one block from Arequipa's Plaza de Armas, a 3‑minute walk.
Tip
Take the visit before going to the Colca: the volcanoes seen on the way are the same ones where the sanctuaries were found. Ask at the entrance whether Juanita is on display on that date.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museo Santuarios Andinos
Who is Juanita?
She is an Inca girl of about 13 years old who was offered in sacrifice on the summit of the volcano Ampato more than 500 years ago. She was found frozen in 1995 by Johan Reinhard and Miguel Zárate.
Is Juanita always on display?
For most of the year, yes. In some months, for conservation, she may be replaced by another of the children found in the sanctuaries. Ask at the entrance.
Can you take photos in the museum?
No. Photography is not allowed inside the museum.
What is the capacocha?
It was the Inca ritual in which chosen children were taken to mountain summits and offered to the gods, along with figurines, textiles and food.