Overview:

San Juan Bautista Church in Curahuara de Carangas is a colonial-era Catholic church located in the Oruro Department of western Bolivia. The church was constructed in 1582 and is noted for its unique Moorish architecture, which is rare in Bolivia. It is still in use today, and serves as the parish church for the local population. The church was designated a national monument by the Bolivian government in 1973. The façade is decorated with two Moorish-style portals, topped with a bell tower with a flat roof and four corner pilasters. The interior houses an impressive ornamented niche displaying a siren representation of the Virgin Mary. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bolivia
Prominent Features:

1. The San Juan Bautista Church, Curahuara de Carangas is the oldest church in Bolivia and a symbol of the deep faith of the people in the region. 2. The church, constructed out of stone and clay by the Aymara people, dates back to 1596. 3. The church's main features include its Baroque façade, which is decorated with statues of various saints. 4. Inside, the walls are decorated with unique paintings representing biblical scenes and religious stories, which were created by the local Aymara people in the 1800s. 5. The church also boasts an impressive wooden ceiling and a beautiful altar, made from a single block of stone and covered with silver plates. 6. Other features of the church include its large bell tower, which is 80 feet tall, and a small chapel, which is the oldest part of the building. 7. The San Juan Bautista Church, Curahuara de Carangas also contains many religious artifacts and relics collected by the church's curate over its centuries of existence. This national monument of Bolivia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

San Juan Bautista Church is the main Catholic Church in the town of Curahuara de Carangas, Bolivia. It is located in the center of the town and is over 500 years old. It was constructed in the late 15th century and has withstood the ravages of time. The church was originally built by the Spanish colonists under the orders of the Bishop of Potosi, who came to evangelize the indigenous Aymara people of the area. The church was built in the Baroque style, with gilded decor, colorful stone carvings, and plenty of religious iconography inside. In the early 19th century, it was destroyed in a battle between the Spanish and the indigenous forces. It was subsequently rebuilt in the same style, although much of the original ornamentation was destroyed. Further damages were caused in the twentieth century as Bolivia was ravaged by civil wars and natural disasters. Today, San Juan Bautista Church is still the main Catholic Church in Curahuara de Carangas and is a popular tourist destination. Visitors come from all over to admire the intricate stonework and religious art. The church is also adjacent to Curahuara de Carangas Plaza, which is the town's main square and a hub of social and civic life. You must visit one of these historical places in Bolivia on your Bolivia tour

Interesting facts:

1. San Juan Bautista Church is the oldest existing church in the Altiplano region of Bolivia. It was founded by the Spanish Missionaries in 1576. 2. The church is located in the tiny village of Curahuara de Carangas, located in the southern part of the region. 3. The church is constructed in a unique hybrid of baroque and local Quechua architecture. Its rocky walls are made of masonry blocks combined with wooden balconies. 4. The bell tower is the oldest in all of South America, and it was constructed without using a single nail. 5. Inside the church is the famous Escuela de San Juan Bautista, Bolivia's first school for indigenous people. 6. Every year, on January 6th (the festival of Three Kings) the people of Curahuara de Carangas celebrate the Festival of San Juan Bautista with traditional music and dancing. 7. San Juan Bautista Church is a symbol of indigenous identity and resistance to colonialism. It is also the spiritual center of the Curahuara de Carangas people. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bolivia with your friends and family.