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The staircase leading to the platform presents exquisite drafts on the railings. A few steps up forks
into two ladders. At the front and in the middle stands the image of San Pedro, full body and in
proportion to the whole.
The Devil came from France to stay in the Cathedral of Arequipa. The magnificent carving was
done in Buisini-Rigot's workshops, in Lille, in 1879, on the testamentary commission of the lady of
Arequipa, Javiera Lizarraga de lvarez Comparet, as it is said in the testimony carved at the foot of
the pulpit and that The lyrics say: "A. M. D. C. "
( "Pulpit built for the Cathedral of Arequipa, at the expense and by testamentary mandate of Mrs.
Doa Javiera Lizrraga de Alvarez Comparet, Year 1879."). Perpetuating thus the name and the
devotion of the lady who donated the pulpit of such singular invoice
The devil mocked the war, at the end of 1879, when Peru was in full war with Chile, the Devil
arrived in Peruvian waters. The blocked ships, the marine routes strictly guarded by the enemy and
with all the roar of the war over, the French ship with the Devil on board mocked the enemy and
managed, quietly, to dock in a Peruvian port, perhaps Islay, and unloaded Its diabolical charge. On
December 16, 1879, a beehive of diligent Arequipeos artisans, in the Cathedral, unclaved the
drawers
Studied the plans of the rich assembly of the pulpit and began to assemble the twelve parts that
constituted the beautiful monument made in carved wood. After several months of work the pulpit
was ready, but it seems that there was no inauguration, due to the war waged by Peru against
Chile.
"The Devil who came from France" cost the sum of 25,000 francs of the time. The contract with the
Buisine-Rigot workshops was signed by Don Juan Mariano de Goyeneche and Gamio, a gentleman
from Arequipa, who at that time was Minister Plenipotentiary of Peru in France
. According to data of the time, the works of carving of the pulpit took fifteen months to the French
carvers masters. Once completed, "El Diablo" was shipped to Peruvian port and then transferred to
the Cathedral of Arequipa.
Since its "settlement" in the Cathedral, the Devil has quietly observed solemnly Te-Deum, has seen
the presidents of the Republic pass through the central nave, high figures of many governments.
Prefects, mayors, judges and vowels of the Court have glanced at him during the solemn Holy
Week services celebrated by the Archbishops of Arequipa. He has witnessed revolutions and
glorious republican deeds fought by the people of Arequipa in the space of a century and peak in
the historic Plaza de Armas of the White City.