Museum of Andean sanctuaries was established in 1996, after an important archaeological research project "Shrines height Sur Andino", led by Dr Johan Reinhard and Jose Antonio Chavez. The Museum is frozen "the mummy Juanita" and other subjects of the Inca culture.

The studies conducted by the Catholic University of Santa Maria for four decades in the area of Arequipa, has yielded many archaeological artifacts, which are now exhibited in the seven halls of the Museum. The world famous mummy Juanita, the girl in the ice" with her dowry is one of the most famous exhibits of the Museum, which can be seen from 1 may to 31 December each year. The remaining four months of Juanita is in complete darkness, for the best conservation of the frozen body of a girl (her body has not been subjected to the process of mummification). Juanita, also known as Lady Ampato, was found in 1995 on the slopes of the volcano Ampato at a height of 5800 meters above sea level. Radiocarbon study Juanita showed that she was 530 years, the exact time of burial – 1466 ad.

Museum visitors can also see the exhibits made of wood, metal, textiles, gold and ceramics that were used in the ceremonies of the Inca Capac Koch, Viracocha, as well as gold and ceramic figurines, well-preserved blankets.

Currently research centre UCSM at the Catholic University of Santa maría de Arequipa has 6 special freezer, with a temperature of 26°C below zero, and two special exhibition booth with maintaining such temperature and computer control of the operator. Also in the Museum installed air conditioning for the preservation of archaeological materials.