Maca is a small village between the Cruz del Condor and Chivay. Situated at the base of Sabancaya volcano on a fault line, it has suffered numerous earthquakes and ashfalls since the volcano resumed activity in 1986 after a two hundred year hiatus. According to “A Volcano’s History Maps Its Future“,
“On July 23-24, 1991, Maca residents felt more than 20 earthquakes each day. The largest event occurred at 2:45 PM local time on July 23, 1991, reaching magnitude 5.6 with the epicenter only 7 kilometers to the south of the town and 10 kilometers northeast of Sabancaya. This quake severely damaged the town of Maca, killing 20, injuring more than 80 others, and leaving hundreds homeless. Agricultural terraces collapsed and landslides occurred on the slopes behind the town and down to the Colca river.”
The village church of Santa Ana has obviously been repaired in the ensuing 18 years. This was the only village church I visited, so I can’t say how typical it was with its elaborate baroque altarpieces.
Note the decorations on the front facade
Main altar
A Side Altar
Most statues of saints were dressed in elaborate costumes
Smoothie maker
