An enchanted folk world of angels, saints, peasants and knights: every corner of the Andean Sistine Chapel overwhelms the visitor with its sensational decorations.
The wall paintings that animate this sacred place are a perfect image of colonial Christian devotion and represent the fusion of the pre-Hispanic world with the culture imposed by the Spanish conquerors.
The church of Curahuara de Carangas, dedicated to the apostle Santiago, is one of the most important buildings built during the so-called Viceroyalty period. Declared a national monument in 1960, it is now one of the most famous and visited attractions in Bolivia. Such is the amazement of visitors in front of the impressive decorations that adorn the interior that the church that, over time, it has become known as the Andean Sistine Chapel.
It was built by the Augustinian friars, who had arrived in the area in the last quarter of the 16th century to evangelize the local population. An inscription on the church mentions the date of construction, 1608, and the names of the people who most likely commissioned it, the priest Juan Ortiz Villasol, and two local leaders Baltasar Cachagas and Gonzalo Larama.
The exterior of the church, with its simple forms, is made of stone and raw earth. Completely whitewashed, it has rough buttresses supporting a thatched roof and an imposing 18-metre-high bell tower.
On entering, visitors are struck by wonder and amazement. The single nave is covered up to the ceiling with paintings depicting sacred stories and brightly coloured figures, framed by architectural elements and geometric and floral motifs. Some of the paintings were probably made in the first decades of the 17th century, while most of them are much later (last decades of the 18th century). The ceiling is painted to resemble wooden coffers. On the sides there are two saints on horseback, Saint Martin de Tours and Santiago, or Saint James, dressed in the Spanish fashion of the 16th century: one as a noble knight, the other as a conqueror.
In the presbytery, the painted vault depicts the twelve apostles surrounded by a starry sky with angels, while the side walls are covered with biblical and religious scenes. Certainly the most impressive image is that of the majestic Last Judgement, which decorates the wall on the right side (facing the altar), with hellish scenes of punishment for the damned and heavenly glory for the elect. The various scenes are separated by floral elements, fruits and coloured borders, and continue into the sacristy and baptistery.
If the paintings are so vivid as to amaze today's visitors we can only imagine the impression they must have had on the people who lived here in the past centuries: the faithful accustomed to the harshness of life on the plateau must have felt as though they were entering paradise.
The church of Curahuara de Carangas is one of the most important cultural attractions in the region and is a must-see on your trip: contact us to guide you to the Sistine Chapel of the Andes.
Additional Info
It is recommended the use of warm and windproof clothing, comfortable shoes, hat and suglasses and to bring a sleeping bag.
Suggested periods
- Autumn
- Spring
- Summer
- Weekend
Where
Curahuara de Carangas community, Curahuara de Carangas municipality
Transportation
By public transport
With minibus from La Paz to Patacamaya; from there take a microbus to Curahuara de Carangas.
By private transport
From La Paz or Oruro take the direction towards Patacamaya; once there, go down the main road to Tambo Quemado; take the detour to Curahuara de Carangas.
Visiting Rules
For your health and the health of local population, remember to comply with all biosecurity protocols and codes of conduct before and during your stay: wear a mask and carry hand sanitizer, plus a first aid kit, with sunscreen and medications for altitude sickness.
During your visit remember to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the region.