IGLESIA CURAHUARA DE CARANGAS

Next to the barracks stands the Church of Curahuara, an architectural jewel of the 16th century that has one of the most extraordinary frescoes in Bolivia. Its construction began in 1587 and was completed in 1608. Built with adobe and stone, a thatched roof, and whitewashed, the church looks great. This enclosure was once used as a training center for catechism. Inside, it houses the image of the Apostle Santiago, patron saint of the city. The coffered ceiling dates from 1608, and its frescoes, the oldest in all of South America, depict Christ with the apostles. The oil murals depict scenes from the Old Testament. It is a wonderful example of the religious syncretism that prevailed in the region at the time. The techniques used indicate that they were executed by natives indoctrinated by the missionaries, but without neglecting their own beliefs, including the presence of ochre colours, distortions of the human body and the presence of symbols of the original culture, such as the sun and the moon. It is the particular climate of the region that has allowed the paintings and frescoes to be well preserved. This church, declared a national monument since 1960, has been called "the Sistine Chapel of the Altiplano".

To visit it, you have to pay an entrance fee. Ask the inhabitants of the house to the right of the church, or look for Doña María Carmen.