Arequipa is famed for many things, for the stunningly elaborate mestizo-baroque façades of  its pearl-like volcanic sillar rock buildings, for its native son Nobel Prize-winning Mario Vargas Llosa, and for the resilience and hauteur of a people whose city has weathered various earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and great fires.  One of its greatest claims to fame, however, are the 3 volcanoes which dominate Arequipa´s skyline are the white Chachani (Beloved), Picchu Picchu (Top Top), and the central, perfectly conical El Misti (The Gentleman). It’s the beautiful El Misti which has been adopted by Arequipeños as a symbol of the city, its people and its culture. It´s only erupted 4 times in 500 years, registering emissions in 1985 and a minor eruption 1948, but no major eruption since the 1400s. Although the city has been evacuated before due to eruption, Arequipa continues to develop even along its volcano-side and its routes are popular with hikers.