Declared as “Zona Típica” (“typical zone”, Chilean classification of unique and outstanding rural or urban areas), Isluga preserves one of the most beautiful religious complexes in the highlands. It is one of the rare traditional villages, characterized by the culture of Altiplano shepherds.
The village is located at 3.900m above sea level and is most important for festivities. Every year, locals flock in for carnival, the “fiesta de Santo Tomás Apóstol” or funerals. In the past, also the villages of Caquena, Guallatire and Cancosa served these purposes.
According to Aymara belief, Isluga is the ritual center and the place where the two Aymara realities meet, “arriba” and “abajo” which together form the world. Given the ceremonial character, the village is almost not inhabited throughout the year. Only for the festivities it is full of people, music and traditional dances. Historically, the only inhabitant of Isluga was the “fabriquero”, the guard of the temple.
The church, constructed in a native-Andean style, reflects the characteristics of the North. It is said to date back to the 18th century, a time in which the catholic church extended their powers into the Altiplano.
The religious compound of Isluga is the church, consisting of one nave and one bell tower. The building is surrounded by courtyard and a small wall.
During summer, temperatures in Isluga move between 0° and 20°C, and rains occur during the season of the Bolivian Winter.