Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient Churches

Achiutla is a very remote mountain village, accessible by road only when the weather is good. Although the church is at the summit of a mountain, where the village originally stood, the government forced the people to move to the base of the mountain late in the nineteenth century in order to accommodate archeological work, according to Sr. Bautista. However, the people continue to make the journey to the top of the mountain for worship services and for continuing maintenance on this large and complex edifice.

Upon entering the church of San Miguel Achiutla the visitor is surprised first of all by the unusually deep, rich blue of the walls and ceiling. This may be seen in the background of some of our photographs.