The historic heart of Arequipa is built out of volcanic sillar and paints one of Peru's most homogeneous architectural pictures. European styles mingle happily with local traditions, in particular in the Baroque decoration of the facades. In addition to religious edifices, immaculate white frontispieces and elegant wrought-iron balconies also home to some handsome casonas, imposing 17C and 18C colonial abodes, depict the town.