Purmamarca is a town in Jujuy province in northwestern Argentina. It is located at the base of a spectacular multicolored hill called Cerro de los Siete Colores. From town Paseo de los Colorados trail goes to surrounding desert landscapes where there are views of the mountain. Adobe houses, streets and Plaza 9 de Julio is home to a popular handicraft market.
Purmamarca, named by the Aymara's means literally "desert city", but desert in that language also means uncultivated land, not touched by human hand, hence the most appropriate translation in this language must be "people of the Virgin Land" .
Perhaps it is the most picturesque village near Quebrada de Humahuaca, although geographically it belongs to another transverse valley of the same name, surrounded by multi colored mountain ranges. Quebrada de Purmamarca, resembles a large valley facing Rio Grande. Declaration of Quebrada de Humahuaca as a World Heritage Site has also increased tourist activity in the area. In this regard both inhabitants of the town, conservative about their traditional and peaceful lifestyle and architectural style of the town, as well as the natural beauty of their environment turn the town into a magnificent place for contemplation. Linked to this tourist movement Purmamarca economic activities are confectioning and handicrafts sale, the small hotel and tours renting to near regions especially to Salinas Grandes and Guayatayoc Lagoon, mirror of water in full puna where they can observe different species of birds, among them endogenous species of pink flamingos.
Purmamarca drags a millenary tradition and already existed at the time of the American conquest. The church is from 1648 with a beautiful lintel at its main door. Consecrated to Santa Rosa de Lima. His patronal feast is celebrated on August 30, with religious acts, sikuris, altar boys accompanied by erkes and drums. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1941, simple architecture, adobe walls, roof of cactus and clay, a single and narrow nave. Inside there are paintings of the Cuzqueña School from the XVIII century, and artistic value objects