Arica: Attractions and more...
The city is steeped in history and is home to many monuments. It lies at the foothills of Morro de Arica, which witnessed a famous battle between the Peruvian and Chilean troops. At the summit, which offers a view of the entire city and of the Atacama Desert, there is an exhibition of weapons as a reminder of the battle.
The gothic Cathedral San Marcos, designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel, is a national monument that stands atop a terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It houses a twelfth-century image of Christ.
Another site popular among tourists is the Museo Arqueologicò San Miguel de Azapa, which has a fascinating collection of pertroglyphs from the Azapa Valley, Incan mummies preserved in the sand of the Atacama, and exhibits from excavations in the Lluta Valley.
Other places of interest are Casino de Arica—the handicraft centre that is replica of a traditional village—and beaches like El Laucho, La Lisera, and Balneario Chinchorro.
