Towns and villages affected by the destructive elements are always a depressing spectacle. The church of San Juan Parangaricutiro is a witness of a devastating natural disaster. The sight is located in the former settlement of the same name in Mexico. In 1944, during an eruption of the Paricutin volcano the town was completely destroyed. The church building is one of the few that managed to survive.
Today, the church is almost completely buried under a layer of lava. Since the disaster, it is abandoned. Surrounded by solidified volcanic cones, the dilapidated building looks very grim. Some travelers say that the church resembles to an ancient building that was restored from ruins. During the disaster mighty lava flows were covering the place; they were several meters thick. Given this, the fact that the altar of the church completely survived after the eruption, seems incredible.
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