THE 5 MOST POPULAR MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF AREQUIPA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Some of the main myths and legends of Arequipa are the siren of the Bolognesi bridge, the Arequipa goblins, the devil in the cathedral, the treasure of Chachani and the headless friar.

Arequipa is a Peruvian state whose idiosyncrasy is very regionalist. This means that one's own traditions are cared for and preserved for a long time.

One of these traditions is the custom of orally transmitting legends from generation to generation.

In these elements of the urban reality of a large and populous city like Arequipa are mixed with others typical of less developed towns.

In this sense, religious and esoteric references are present in many of Arequipa's legends.

The 5 most outstanding myths and legends of Arequipa

1- The siren of the Bolognesi bridge

The Bolognesi bridge is a real construction of the city of Arequipa. This legend tells that, in the rainy season and flooding of the river flow, a siren could be sighted in the vicinity of the bridge.

According to legend, the mermaid waited there for her lover. In turn, in a nearby alley you could see a naked man (the beloved) imprisoned with some chains. Finally the two met to disappear together and enjoy their love.

Sirens were blamed every time someone rushed off the bridge with the intention of committing suicide.

2- Arequipa goblins

Arequipa's goblins are only visible to the eyes of the little ones, since adults are considered impure and cannot see them.

It is said that they are the fruit of aborted fetuses, dead children without having been baptized or the urine of women who had relationships outside of marriage.

They live in hiding, but they like to joke and tease people, especially adults.

Some goblins are old, bearded, and evil. They can cause the death of people when they do not get rid of them.

3- The devil in the cathedral

The existence of a sculpture representing the devil inside the Arequipa Cathedral is a mystery.

The cabinetmaking work came from France, paid for by a Peruvian noblewoman who arranged in her will that, upon her death, her house be sold to pay for the construction of a new pulpit.

Since 1879, the figure of Satan appears inside the basilica without a plausible explanation.

There are theories and hypotheses more or less close to reality, but none of them are completely true. To this day it is possible to see the figure when visiting the temple.

4- Chachani's treasure

This Arequipa legend tells that there was an immense treasure hidden in a cave near an underground river.

One day, a man who longed to find that treasure and be rich, set out on his search.

After days trying to decipher the position of the cave, guiding himself by the underground water currents and resorting to various techniques, he found the longed-for treasure.

When he thought he was rich, with the jewels in his hands and a huge amount of gold in front of him, everything began to evaporate, to disappear.

He understood then that the treasure was not intended for any man and decided to forget that it existed so as not to mortify himself.

5- The headless friar

This legend dates from the 19th century. According to this, there was a soul in pain that was seen at midnight dressed in the habit of a Franciscan friar. He was walking around the Arequipa Cathedral.

No one knew his identity. Some said that he had been beheaded by the son of a Spanish nobleman during a banal dispute.

They also said that at the time of the beheading a wild dog had fled with its head. Being buried without it, the friar would go out every night in search of it.

References

1. "Arequipa traditions and legends: anthology", Regional Government of Arequipa. (2010).
2. "Image and legend of Arequipa: 1540-1990", Edgardo Rivera Martínez. (nineteen ninety six).
3. Myths and legends of Peru, in leyendas-peru.blogspot.com
4. The siren of the Bolognesi bridge, in El Correo, diariocorreo.pe
5. Arequipa horror legends for Halloween, in El Pueblo, elpueblo.com.pe