A few very early modern English mentions of the city of Arequipa (translated into English)
Iohn Huighen van Linschoten (Jan Huyghen van Linschoten). His discours of voyages into ye Easte & West Indies Deuided into foure bookes. (1597). Originally in Dutch under the title "Beschrijvinghe van de gantsche custe van Guinea, Manicongo, Angola, Monomotapa..." in 1596. I have a transcription of the original Dutch text if you're interested, it's to be corrected and I don't speak Dutch.
From book II, translation from Dutch to English, William Phillip (fl. 1600).
«… in the vallie of Quilca lyeth the hauen of Arequipa, and the towne, so that from Lima or the Kings towne to Arequipa are ninety Spanish miles, or three hundred and sixtie Italian miles: the town lyeth about eleuen miles within the vally of Quilca, distant from the sea in the best and most pleasant place of all the vallie to bee built vpon, where there is a verie good and temperate aire, whereby it is commended for one of the most holsomest places in all Peru, and the pleasantest to dwell in, being a Bishopricke, and vnder the Iurisdiction of Lyma, hauing in it about thrée hundred Spanish houses: the countrey thereabouts is verie fat, and yéeldeth verie good Corne, whereof they make bread: the limites or Iurisdiction of the towne reacheth from the vallie of Hacari, to Tarapaca, and in the prouince or countrey of Condesuyo: they haue likewise authoritie ouer certaine places, which are vnder the Spanish gouernment: those of Hubnas, Ciqui Guanitta, Quimistaca, and Colagnas, are all vnder the commandement of this towne, in time past very populous, and now most part destroyed by the Spaniards: they pray to the sun, as other Peruuians do, and weare shirts and mantles, most of their siluer and treasor is brought from Charcas, and the mynes of Potoisi, and Porco, from thence it is carried to Lyma, and so to Panama and Spaine: about this towne there is a hill of Brimstone, which burneth continually, whereby it putteth the countrey in great feare, doing great hurt vnto the countrey and the town: sometimes by reason thereof they haue certaine earthquakes: this towne was builded by Francisco Pizarro in his maiesties name, in the yeare of our Lord 1536. Many Spanish wares (as wine, oyle, oliues, meale, corne, or wheate. &c.) are brought thither, therewith to serue the Countrey of Charcas, and the mines of Potoisi & Porco. There also many of the Inhabitants of the plaine countrey do come and traffike1, concerning the mines aforesaide, wherby much siluer and treasor is brought thither, to be conuayed frō thence into other places: therabouts on the sea coast are many great Gieren, that spread their wings at the least fifteene or sixteene handfulles broade, that liue vpon Sea Wolues, which they take, picking out theyr eyes, and feeding of theyr bodyes. There are likewise great numbers of Sea Mewes, by the Spaniards called Alcatraces, that likewise liue of sea fish and sea crabs, and such like. Their flesh is stinking and vnholsome, so that many who for want of meate haue eaten them, died therof. And thus much for the first part of the plain countrey of Peru, lying along the sea coast.
(Corrected)
"In the valley of Quilca lies the haven of Arequipa and the town, so that from Lima or the King's town to Arequipa are ninety Spanish miles, or three hundred and sixty Italian miles. The town lies about eleven miles within the valley of Quilca, distant from the sea in the best and most pleasant place of all the valley to be built upon, where there is a very good and temperate air, whereby it is commended as one of the healthiest places in all Peru, and the pleasantest to dwell in. It is a bishopric and under the jurisdiction of Lima, having about three hundred Spanish houses. The country thereabouts is very fertile and yields very good corn, from which they make bread. The limits or jurisdiction of the town reach from the valley of Hacari to Tarapaca and into the province or country of Condesuyo. They also have authority over certain places that are under Spanish governance. Those of Hubnas, Ciqui Guanitta, Quimistaca, and Colagnas are all under the command of this town, which in the past was very populous and now is mostly destroyed by the Spaniards. They pray to the sun, as other Peruvians do, and wear shirts and mantles. Most of their silver and treasure is brought from Charcas and the mines of Potosí and Porco. From there, it is carried to Lima and then to Panama and Spain. About this town, there is a hill of brimstone2, which burns continually, putting the country in great fear and doing great harm to the country and the town. Sometimes, this causes certain earthquakes. This town was built by Francisco Pizarro in His Majesty's name, in the year of our Lord 1536.
Many Spanish goods (such as wine, oil, olives, meal, corn, or wheat, etc.) are brought there to serve the country of Charcas and the mines of Potosí and Porco. Many of the inhabitants from the plains come and traffic, concerning the aforementioned mines, whereby much silver and treasure is brought there to be conveyed to other places. Near the sea coast are many great vultures4, spreading their wings at least fifteen or sixteen hands wide, that live upon sea lions, which they catch by picking out their eyes and feeding on their bodies. There are likewise great numbers of seagulls, called 'Alcatraces' by the Spaniards, that also live on sea fish and sea crabs and such like. Their flesh is foul and unhealthy, so much so that many who have eaten them for lack of other food have died as a result. And thus much for the first part of the plain country of Peru, lying along the sea coast."
(al castellano)
"En el valle de Quilca se encuentra el puerto de Arequipa y la ciudad, de modo que desde Lima, o la ciudad del Rey, hasta Arequipa hay noventa millas españolas, o trescientas sesenta millas italianas. La ciudad está ubicada a unos once millas dentro del valle de Quilca, a una distancia del mar, en el lugar más adecuado y agradable de todo el valle para ser construida. Allí hay un aire muy bueno y templado, por lo cual se considera como uno de los lugares más saludables de todo el Perú y el más agradable para vivir. Es un obispado y está bajo la jurisdicción de Lima, contando con unas trescientas casas españolas.
Los alrededores del lugar son muy fértiles y producen muy buen maíz [choclo], del cual hacen pan. Los límites o jurisdicción de la ciudad abarcan desde el valle de Hacarí hasta Tarapacá y la provincia o territorio de Condesuyos. También tienen autoridad sobre ciertos lugares bajo el dominio español. Los pueblos de Hubinas, Chiquiguanita, Quinistacas y Collaguas están bajo el mando de esta ciudad, que en tiempos pasados fue muy populosa y ahora en su mayoría ha sido destruida por los españoles. Ellos rezan al sol3, al igual que otros peruanos, y visten camisas y mantos.
La mayor parte de su plata y tesoros provienen de Charcas y las minas de Potosí y Porco. Desde allí, son llevados a Lima y luego a Panamá y España. Alrededor de esta ciudad hay una colina de azufre que arde continuamente, lo cual pone al país en gran temor y causa mucho daño tanto al campo como a la ciudad. A veces, esto provoca terremotos. Esta ciudad fue construida por Francisco Pizarro en nombre de Su Majestad en el año de nuestro Señor 1536.
Muchos productos españoles (como vino, aceite, aceitunas, harina, maíz o trigo, etc.) se llevan allí para abastecer al territorio de Charcas y las minas de Potosí y Porco. También llegan muchos habitantes de las llanuras para comerciar, en relación con las minas mencionadas, lo que hace que mucha plata y tesoros sean transportados desde allí hacia otros lugares. Cerca de la costa hay muchos buitres [cóndores] grandes que extienden sus alas al menos quince o dieciséis palmos de ancho y que viven de lobos marinos, a los que capturan picándoles los ojos y alimentándose de sus cuerpos.
También hay una gran cantidad de gaviotas, llamadas alcatraces por los españoles, que también se alimentan de peces y cangrejos de mar [apancoras], y similares. Su carne es apestosa y poco saludable, tanto que muchos que la han comido por falta de otro alimento han muerto a causa de ello. Y hasta ahí con la primera parte del llano del Perú, que se encuentra a lo largo de la costa marítima.
1trade.
2 The Misti volcano, which has not been active since the 15th century. It has only seen minor activity since then, such as fumaroles in 1870 and some volanci degassing.
3 El Inti.
4 Condor.
2. Samuel Purchas, Purchas His Pilgrimes: In Five Bookes, Book 3, (1625).
[On the climate of Arequipa]
The Citie of Arequipa is in sixteen
degrees some-what more; one hundred and thirteene leagues from the
Citie of The Kings, in a manner directly South-east at the Coast
runneth, and sixtie from the Citie of Cusco, of the Bishopricke of
Cusco; it hath Monasteries of Dominicks, Franciscans, and
Mercenaries; it hath fiftie thousand tributaries Indians; and
is of most pleasant temperature to live in of all places in Peru.
They gather in her borders great store of Wine, and Wooll. The Port
is at the end of the River Chile, which passeth neere the
Citie where the merchandize is vnlade.
Arequipa stands in
the Valley of Quilca, fourteene leagues from the Sea. In her
iurisdiction is the Province of Condesuyo, the Townes of the
Huniaba, Gallaguata, Chiquiquata, and Quimsa-suaca; the
Marques Don Francisco Pizarro built it 1534; it is very subject to
earth-quakes as all these Indies, especially the Sea coasts. In the
yeere 1582, there was an earth-quake that almost ruinated this Citie;
and since then hath beene another; and a breaking out of a faire
smooth, whereof they tell strange things in the yeere 1586. There was
another in the Citie of The Kings in the ninth of Iuly, which
ran one hundred and seventeene leagues in length by the Sea side, and
within the Land; it spoyled the Citie, indangered few people, because
they went out: it threw downe the walls, and a little after the
earth-quake was past, the Sea went out of her bounds, and entred a
great way within the Land fourteene fathome deepe. Such another
earth-quake was in Quito the next yeere; and in the Citie of La
Paz in the yeere 1581. a great high Rocke fell which took under
it a great many Indian with trees, and the earth which fell, and in
one league and a halfe. In Chile was another great earth-quake that
over-threw the Mountain and Valleys, stopped the Current of the
Rivers, brought the Sea out of her bounds, and in Valparaiso,
and Conception, drowned many Townes, and slew many men. The
Philosopher sayth, that these earth-quakes proceed of the wind that
is within the bowels of the earth, which seeketh vent, and finding
none, breaketh out with such violence, that it shaketh the earth, and
casteth downe the superfluities of the earth; but that also which is
in the bowels of the earth, which is wind engendred of the vapours
and exhalations, which the Sunne draweth vp, and the earth cannot
cast them out any way, then they seeke vent, and break out with such
violence, that they shake the earth, and cast downe the superfluities
of the earth. A Myne of earth-quakes is a curious saying, that it
rendeth the earth where it is, as an accident in itselfe is great,
and hath such a force of motion in itselfe, how much more being an
accident inclosed is greater.
The Village of Saint
Michael de la Rivera is in six leagues from the Valley of
Saint Michael, and twentie leagues from The Kings, two and
twentie from Arequipa, of the Bishopricke of Cusco. The
Village of Valparaiso in the Valley of Chile, is fortie
leagues from the Citie of The Kings, ten from the Port of
Saint Iago, is of the Bishopricke of The Kings, and of the
Archbishopricke; her borders are plentifull of Wheat, Wine,
and Wooll, and of much Wine.
(al castellano)
La ciudad de Arequipa se encuentra en dieciséis grados y algo más; a ciento trece leguas de la Ciudad de los Reyes, prácticamente en dirección sureste, siguiendo la costa, y a sesenta leguas de la Ciudad del Cuzco, dentro del obispado del Cuzco. Cuenta con monasterios de dominicos, franciscanos y mercedarios; tiene cincuenta mil indios tributarios; y posee un clima de lo más agradable para vivir, de entre todos los lugares de Perú. En sus alrededores se recoge una gran cantidad de vino y lana. El puerto se encuentra al final del río Chile, que pasa cerca de la ciudad, donde se descargan las mercancías.
Arequipa está situada en el valle de Quilca, a catorce leguas del mar. En su jurisdicción se encuentra la provincia de Condesuyo y los pueblos de Huniaba, Gallaguata, Chiquiquata y Quimsasuaca. El marqués don Francisco Pizarro la fundó en 1534; es muy propensa a terremotos, como toda esta región de las Indias, especialmente las costas. En el año 1582, hubo un terremoto que casi destruyó esta ciudad; y desde entonces ha habido otro, así como la erupción de una fuente de agua, de la cual se cuentan extrañas historias en el año 1586. Hubo otro en la Ciudad de los Reyes el nueve de julio, que se extendió a lo largo de ciento diecisiete leguas por la costa y dentro del territorio; dañó la ciudad, aunque pocas personas sufrieron peligro, pues salieron a tiempo: derribó los muros y, poco después de que el terremoto pasó, el mar salió de sus límites e ingresó profundamente en tierra firme, hasta catorce brazas de profundidad. Otro terremoto similar ocurrió en Quito al año siguiente; y en la ciudad de La Paz en el año 1581, cuando una gran roca cayó, sepultando bajo sí a muchos indígenas junto con los árboles y la tierra que se desprendió, abarcando una legua y media. En Chile hubo otro gran terremoto que destruyó montañas y valles, detuvo el curso de los ríos, hizo que el mar desbordara sus límites y, en Valparaíso y Concepción, inundó muchas poblaciones y causó la muerte de numerosas personas. El filósofo dice que estos terremotos son causados por el viento atrapado dentro de las entrañas de la tierra, que busca una salida y, al no encontrarla, irrumpe con tal violencia que sacude la tierra y derriba sus estructuras. Además, el viento se genera por los vapores y exhalaciones que el sol extrae y que la tierra no puede expulsar de otra manera, por lo que buscan una salida y emergen con tal violencia que hacen temblar la tierra y derriban todo lo que está sobre ella. Se dice que las minas de terremotos provocan una ruptura de la tierra en el lugar donde se encuentran, ya que, como fenómeno, posee una gran fuerza de movimiento, y cuanto más se encuentra encerrado, mayor es su impacto.
El pueblo de San Miguel de la Rivera se encuentra a seis leguas del valle de San Miguel, a veinte leguas de la Ciudad de los Reyes y a veintidós de Arequipa, dentro del obispado de Cuzco. El pueblo de Valparaíso, en el valle de Chile, está a cuarenta leguas de la Ciudad de los Reyes, a diez del puerto de Santiago, dentro del obispado de la Ciudad de los Reyes y del arzobispado; sus alrededores son abundantes en trigo, vino y lana, y se produce una gran cantidad de vino.
Gallery
A view of the Misti, Arequipa.
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