Iglesia de San Atanasio

La Villa’s church, sometimes spelled Iglesia de San Atanacio, was declared a national monument in 1938, though what’s inside is more impressive than the building itself. It has a huge main altar, an ornate wooden affair in gold and blue, that was erected in 1733. That makes it older than the current church, whose beginnings date from 1773. The altar and other fixtures were undergoing a major restoration when I last visited, and from the looks of things work may well be continuing when you visit. Even if the church hasn’t officially reopened, though, it may be possible to slip inside and watch the restorers at work, which is interesting in itself. Among the church’s other features is a tall, fantastically ornate archway, also erected in 1733, that is covered with gold arabesques and splashes of reds and blues. It looks almost Chinese. The church is in the center of town, next to the plaza.