The decorated front
Plant patterns under a timber porch.
Bamse — CC BY-SA 2.5 · AriomPardo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · AriomPardo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Maria Cristina Tajima — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bamse — CC BY-SA 2.5 · Bamse — CC BY-SA 2.5
San Javier Mission was the first of the six Jesuit missions of Chiquitos on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1990, in the hot lowlands of eastern Bolivia. Its church stands out for a broad timber roof reaching out over columns, and a decorated front that blends European influence with local art. The mission was founded in 1691 and moved several times, including in 1696 because of raids from Brazil and in 1708 to protect its people. Its first inhabitants were the Piñoca people. The Swiss Jesuit architect Martin Schmid built the church between 1749 and 1752. After the Jesuits were expelled in 1767 the church stayed alive, and the naturalist d'Orbigny praised its music around 1830. Hans Roth restored it from 1987. You face a front of plant patterns and circles in pale brown, under a deep timber porch on carved columns. Beside it is a separate wooden bell tower and a green court ringed by low arcades. A wide stone-paved plaza lies in front, giving the town a calm air. These towns host a biennial international music festival. The mission is 182.5 km in a straight line north-east of Santa Cruz, about 3 to 4 hours by paved road, and 53.8 km west of Concepción. The church is a place of worship, so dress modestly and ask about entry rules. It is hot, so bring water and a hat. British advice mentions a state of emergency and road blockades, so check your government's advice before travelling.
Plant patterns under a timber porch.
A separate wooden tower.
Low arcades around the grass.
San Javier town, Santa Cruz Department
The Swiss Jesuit architect Martin Schmid, between 1749 and 1752.
The road takes 3 to 4 hours each way, so stay over, or combine it with Concepción.