Town 8 km west of Paracho
Purépecha village whose painted 17th-century church, the "Purépecha Sistine Chapel," burned in 2021 and has been rebuilt by local carpenters.
Nurío is a Purépecha community a few kilometers west of Paracho, and it is known for its church of Santiago Apóstol, begun in the 16th century as part of a hospital complex, a huatápera, in the tradition of bishop Vasco de Quiroga. Its interior, decorated in the 17th and 18th centuries with fine mudéjar woodwork and paintings, was so admired that it was called the Purépecha Sistine Chapel.
On March 7, 2021, a fire destroyed almost all of the church's wooden structure, roof, coffered ceiling and choir, along with most of the altarpieces, paintings and sculptures inside. Reconstruction, guided by INAH, began in June 2021, and the restoration firm hired carpenters from Nurío and neighboring Sevina, who trained younger workers; much of the pine came from the community forests of San Juan Nuevo and Nahuatzen. A second phase, started in late 2024, focuses on remaking altarpieces, sculptures and paintings. In November 2025 a smaller fire was quickly put out by residents and firefighters, with only superficial damage.
A visit today is less about seeing a finished masterpiece than about seeing a community rebuilding its heart with traditional skills, in a village that keeps its Purépecha language and customs.
What to see and do
See the rebuilt church of Santiago Apóstol and its new wooden roof and ceiling.
Learn how local carpenters from Nurío and Sevina rebuilt it with traditional techniques.
Walk the village of wooden houses and trojes.
Ask respectfully before entering or photographing during services.
Getting there
Nurío is about 15 to 20 minutes west of Paracho by car, on the road through Ahuirán. Restoration work may limit access to parts of the church; ask in the village.
8 km west of Paracho
Directions from Paracho on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Nurío
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Weather cool
Nurío shares the climate of Paracho, 8 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Apr, Nov.
Make Paracho your base
Nurío is an easy trip from Paracho, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Paracho
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.