Travel Guide Parinacota

Parinacota is a superb village in the Cordillera, situated at an altitude of 4,392 m and listed as a historic monument. Its location on the road between Arica and Potosí once favored its economic development. Then it gradually declined. Today, its main source of income is livestock farming and a small craft industry. Its stone and clay houses are topped with paja brava roofs, gradually replaced by cheaper sheet metal. The village's most interesting building is the church, all in white and surrounded by a wall decorated with representations of divinities. This wall is pierced by three doors, crowned by pink volcanic stones. Built in the 17th century, the church was rebuilt in 1789 and whitewashed. Inside, there are some superb frescoes, as well as a Christ, tortured by the Spaniards rather than the Romans. This is surely one of the masterpieces of northern Chile, the most beautiful church in the country and one of the most interesting in the Andes.Near the main square lies a small pond where ducks frolic. Opposite the square, a few women set up stalls selling handicrafts, in particular clothing: sweaters, jackets and mantas (not as precious as those from Bolivia). If you're planning to go further north in Latin America, you'd better wait to be tempted, unless you'd like to make a small gesture... On September 8, the day of the celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin, a procession takes place throughout the city.