The church that was swallowed by a volcano

March 14, 2012
Mexico is covered with mountains whose distinctive shape reveals their volcanic origin. Some of them have been dormant for eons while others still smoulder.

In 1943 the Paricutin volcano erupted in an agricultural region north of Uruapan.  The progression of the lava was slow, but over the next two years the villages of  San Juan Parangaricutiro and San Salvador Paricutín eventually had to be abandoned.  Visitors today travel to tiny Angahuan, which was saved due to its location high above the valley where the lava flowed.  From there it is possible to reach the lava fields on foot or on horseback.

The church at centre is our destination.

It was an easy downhill hike through a network of paths and unpaved roads, leading us through woods and past wildflowers.  As the route levelled out we encountered the hard black lava.  Soon the one remaining church steeple could be seen standing proud. 

Access was via primitive paths worn in the lava.  We climbed all around this extraordinary site.

The main altar was spared.  Each day fresh flowers appear and there are often small offerings and messages left at the base.
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In some areas, flowers and shrubs are starting to take over.

We've admired dozens of beautiful, well-maintained churches all over Mexico.  None of our other visits was quite as moving as the experience of climbing through these ruins.









For more information on the lost San Juan church, see
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1116-paricut%C3%ADn-the-volcano-michoac%C3%A1n