The Magic Of The Cerro De Los Siete Colores In Argentina
The Cerro de los Siete Colores is located in Purmamarca, in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy Province, Argentina. It is a place with great magnetism and one of the most photographed in northwestern Argentina for its great beauty, given by its colors and contrasts.
The Cerro de los Siete Colores is a unique mountainous spectacle in Argentina. The slopes of this hill show horizontal lines, which look like pieces of different bright colors, capable of transmuting into the existence of a solid and immutable rainbow.
The colors of the hill
According to experts, the Cerro de los Siete Colores originated 75 million years ago. Marine, lake and river sediments are found in the composition of its lands, resulting in a perfect polychrome that serves as the backdrop for Purmamarca.
Each color corresponds to a specific composition :
- Pink color: composed of red clay, mudstones (mud) and arilites (sand).
- Whitish color: limestone or calcareous stone, white qualites.
- Brown, brown and purple colors: Composed of lead and loamy, rich in calcium carbonate.
- Red color: composed of clays (iron) and clays belonging to the Upper Tertiary.
- Green color: composed of phyllites, copper oxide slates.
- Earthy brown color: fanglomerate composed of rock with manganese belonging to the Quaternary.
- Mustard yellow color: calcareous sandstones with sulfur.
The enchanting legend of the Hill of Seven Colors
The locals tell a much more beautiful and charming story. Legend has it that when they founded the town of Purmamarca, the hills had no color whatsoever, the children found it lifeless and decided to paint the slopes in colors.
For seven nights they disappeared from their beds and at each dawn the adults were amazed to find that the hill had color after color, adding more color to it with each passing day.
On the seventh night the adults woke up early to discover that none of the children were in their beds. They began to look for them desperately, however, they came happily jumping down the slope, full of paint, since then the hill has always had seven colors.
How to get to know the Cerro de los Siete Colores
From Purmamarca there are excursions on foot through the hills, in routes of approximately one hour of walking. The best time to appreciate the magic of the hill is at dawn, when the first rays of the sun settle on the multicolored lands and show all their splendor.
On the excursion to the Cerro de los Siete Colores, tourists can perform various activities, such as walks, horseback riding, bicycle rides and photographic safaris, as well as being dazzled by the imposing landscapes of northern Argentina.
The charm of Purmamarca
Purmamarca is a charming and picturesque little town nestled in the polychromatic Cerro de los Siete Colores. It is located in the Humahuaca ravine and has the ideal tourist contrast that visitors love.
Purmamarca, “Town of the Virgin Earth” in the Aymara language, is made up of adobe buildings and cardón roofs with mud cakes, in a temperate climate. An interesting infrastructure in accommodation and the distinctive gastronomy complete the tourist offer of this charming place.
One of its attractions is the Santa Rosa de Lima church, declared a National Monument, due to its architectural layout and the Cuzco paintings and images that it has inside.
The artisan fair works in its square, where it is possible to find tourists acquiring typical items such as vessels, rugs made on looms, ponchos, musical instruments and typical clothing of the ravine.
To enjoy the landscape of Purmamarca you can go trekking, horseback riding or contemplative tourism excursions along the river bed of the same name, or along the Paseo de los Colorados, which has beautiful views with stone formations that were naturally carved.
If you go to Argentina, do not miss the opportunity to see this wonderful gift of nature up close. The colors of the hill, the impressive beauty of the landscapes and its charming town, undoubtedly give life to one of the most beautiful places in the country.
