Located 65 kilometres from San Salvador de Jujuy, down Ruta Nacional Nº 9 National Route, and a small take off on Ruta Nacional Nº 52 National Route, you will find the Town of the Virgin Lands - "Pueblo de la Tierra Virgen", which is the literal translation of the Aymara mountain indian language word Purmamarca, a beautiful village cradled to the north by the Río Purmamarca River, and to the south by the mountains bordering the ravine by the same name.

This small village of 339 people is very attractive due to the imposing and majestic colourful mountains that surround it. Its buildings are from the XVIIth century, which gives an interesting vision of its pre Hispanic origin.

The picturesque layout of its streets is centred on the main church, which was built in 1648. The same as with other villages in the region, the houses in Purmamarca are of adobe, earth, clay and straw mixed, a technology passed down through the generations, the original abodes of these peoples which lifestyle and customs still permeate these areas. Any modern layout is from the end of the XIXth century.

In Purmamarca you will find, side by side with ancient communal celebrations, such as the cult to Mother Earth - Pachamama, the way to make a payment to the mountain spirits - the Apus through the custom of leaving a stone on a mound at the mountain passes building so called Apachetas, many Christian customs such as the Children's Mass, the Christmas and Easter pageants and many where the two converge in a syncretism such as the cult to the dead.

Thus one can still see how the indigenous Apachetas are kept up and added to, with colonial churches just around the corner all over the area. The playing of music is also very important in the area. On every occasion you will see the local instruments come out and play, such as the so-called sikuris, quena, caja, erque, erquencho y charango.

Purmamarca is a place for excursions as it is found within the area of influence of a distribution centre such as San Salvador de Jujuy. Here you will find restaurants, eating places, accommodations and a handicrafts centre.

ATTRACTIONS

The Cabildo Town Hall
It is one of the last ten traditional town halls still in existence in all of Argentina. It is located facing the park like plaza, the main gathering place where you will find many handicrafts and cloth outlets.

Church
This church is consecrated to Santa Rosa of Lima, and was inaugurated in the year 1648. The wooden door lintel is a mute witness to its venerable age. Of a sole narrow nave, it holds many interesting imagery and paintings dating back to the Cuzco School of paintings of the XVIIIth century, all which contribute to the history and tradition in the area of the Quebrada circuit. As a backdrop behind the church can be seen the famous Mountain of Seven Colours, which delights the eyes of every visitor to this village.

As mentioned, it is located facing the main square. Of simple architecture, adobe walls, roof of wooden spars and reed and mud cake. The Patron Saint's Day is on the Santa Rosa of Lima's day, which falls on August 30th each year. It is celebrated by liturgical acts, local music, children's mass and processions with musical bands. The church was declared a National Historical Monument in 1941. Visiting Hours are Mondays through Saturdays between 08:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 04:00 PM till 08:00 PM. Sundays it is open between 09:00 AM to Noon and from 06:00 PM till 09:00 PM.

The Historic Algarrobo Carob Tree
This very old and wide trunked fully crowned Carob tree is found beside the church. It is another mute witness to one of the historically most important moments in the history of Jujuy, at one time serving as shade to Belgrano's troops.

El Paseo de los Colorados
An approximately three kilometres long path leaving the village following for a while the course of a rivulet running into the Río Purmamarca River, with spectacular views, including the incredible one of a series of figures shaped by nature on the red cliffs of the surrounding mountainsides.

Huachichocana
This is a part of the Gorge that is very little populated and is located at 4000 m.a.s.l. Following a 10-kilometre dirt path from Purmamarca you can reach it by walking, horseback or riding a bike.

Archaeological Site
This place with cave paintings is located 22 kilometres from Purmamarca down a side road towards Huachichocana. The best way to get there is in the company of a local guide.

Handicraft Fair
Around the central tree filled plaza of this village you will find stalls with local people selling handicrafts and clothing, such as ponchos and hand woven cloth.

Side Streets and the Mountain of Seven Colours.
We suggest the visitors to take a stroll around this osmall village and enjoy the layout of its streets dating back to the end of the XIXth century. You will find teasels, elms and coniferous trees growing everywhere. From these streets you can appreciate the surrounding mountains from different angles, especially imposing is the so called "Cerro de los Siete Colores" - the Mountain of Seven Colours behind the village, of sedimentary origin from the Cretaceous period, approximately 65 million years ago.