 Santa Cruz and Oriente |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
JESUIT MISSIONS
The incredible heritage of the « Company of Jesus » |
 |
|
 |
Discovery |
 |
2 to 3 days |
 |
year round |
 |
Private |
 |
Spanish or English speaking guide |
|
| |
 |
|
| Along the way… |
This trip takes us to the principal missions (or "Reducciones") of the Chiquitania, established by the Jesuits at the end of the seventeenth century.
The churches from this era have been beautifully preserved, restored and some even rebuilt; these gems of Baroque architecture have kept the religious and folkloric traditions alive.
As in the region of Moxos (the Bolivian Amazon) and Paraguay, the missionaries here were attempting to create a Utopia: the creation of a "City of God" on earth, and to peacefully convert the indigenous population.
We can see how the missions were able to unify the native people with their different cultures under one religion, one language (the Chiquitano) and a set of common social principles.
When the Missions were established, the nomadic peoples of this area were not only initiated into agriculture, but also in painting, sculpture, music and dance; in all these arts they proved to be most skilful, and demonstrated a spectacular ability in learning.
The success of this ambitious project resided in the adherence of indigenous people to the system established by the Jesuits, which embodied both democratic and humanistic qualities. On the one hand, the Jesuits presided over the material and spiritual matters, while internal decisions were taken by a municipal council (Cabildo), which was exclusively constituted of indigenous people.
On the other hand, while the main aim of the Reducciones was to evangelize, another was to offer dignified living conditions to the indigenous people. Most of all, we must consider the fact that the missions offered real protection against slave traders, that education was compulsory for children, and that child labour was prohibited.
Note: An International Festival of Baroque music takes place every other year, (even years only) between March and April (dates may vary). This event, which will see its sixth year in 2006, lasts for 12 days and gathers more than 30 groups from all over Bolivia among them, the well-known Urubicha school near Santa Cruz.
|
| |
 |
| |
 SAN JAVIER |
|
The first Mission in the region, San Javier was established in 1691. The church, built between 1749 and 1752 by Rev. Father Martin Schmidt, was restored between 1987 and 1992 under the direction of Rev. Father Hans Roth. Uniquely for the missions, the wooden columns supporting the aisle are painted.
Of the original structure we can still enjoy the mortuary chapel the presbytery, the patio, the college, the wooden belfry from which there is a nice panorama of the village.
The first School of Music and a shop where violins, harps and clavichords were produced were established at San Javier. |
| |
| CONCEPCION |
|
Established in 1708, the village has preserved the simplicity of its streets, protected on both sides by adobe houses (sun-dried bricks) with galleries of arcades. The church is a real jewel. Built between 1753 and 1756 by Father Martin Schmidt, it was first rebuilt by Father Hans Roth; the renovation began in 1975. He accentuated the decorative richness of the building, utilizing gold leaf and strong colors.
The tall black belfry, supported by engraved columns, is the only one in the Missions with a clock (which does not presently work).
The two confessional boxes, facing each other on the two sides of the aisle, are evidence of the high level of expertise achieved in the art of engraving wood.
The neighbouring buildings consist mainly of the episcopate, as well as the Music Archives, where the scores written and played in the Missions are being kept. These archives are unique in South America, not only because of their abundance (5500 folios) and their originality, but also because of the particular history of how they have been handed down over the years. The preserved state of these archives is attributed to the indigenous population who looked after what was left of them after the Jesuits were expelled from the Kingdom of Spain in 1767. |
| |
| SAN IGNACIO |
|
With about 20,000 inhabitants, this village is today the most populated and the most economically dynamic of the region. Famed as one of the real gems of the Missions because of the importance and the richness of its wood carvings, the church resisted damage inflicted by time until it was demolished in 1948. Replaced by a modern building in 1968, only the works that decorated the inside of the church are proof of its Jesuit past.
In 1998, the decision to totally rebuild the church was made under the direction of Hans Roth according to photos dated from before 1948.
Finished in 2001, the new church has taken on the appearance of the original façade, although in a simplified form without the relief images. The belfry being built out of concrete, part of the modern "reconstruction” of the sixties, contrasts with the rest of the building. |
| |
| SAN MIGUEL MISSION |
|
Established in 1721, San Miguel was one of the most prosperous of the missions. The architectural complex is original, in that it was built on a platform which dominates the main square, and that the façade of the church is in relief. In one of his chronicles, Father Martin Schmidt tells that during its construction, two hundred men used to work every day on the structure. The temple was finished in 1754, but without the altars, which were the creation of Rev. Father Schmidt himself, and considered an architectural jewel.
The architectural complex was essentially restored between 1979 and 1983 under the direction of Rev. Hans Roth and Rev. Father Godofredo Trencker (whose faces have been lent to the representations of Saint Paul and Saint Peter that decorate the façade of the church!) |
| |
| SAN RAFAEL |
|
The church, built between 1749 and 1753 (under the direction of the unforgettable Martin Schmidt), is abundantly decorated with gold leaf and mica (most common in the region). The use of mica gives the surface a reflection and a glittering, silver appearance.
The lateral altarpiece on the right side holds the statue of Virgin Mary, the most important one of the Missions. |
| |
| SANTA ANA |
|
The last Mission built in the Chiquitania was established in 1755, that is to say only 12 years before the Jesuits were expelled. When the priests left, the construction of the church had scarcely started; it was finished by the indigenous population. The result is a sober church, of rustic style, and with minimal dimensions compared to its neighbouring churches. It is surrounded by simple houses of a small town where, like in the times of the Jesuits, the responsibility to look after the church was an honour passed from father to son.
Renovated in the nineties, the church maintains its original appearance.
Where the choir stands, a pipe organ of the Jesuit epoch has been preserved--restored in the year 2000. |
| |
| SAN JOSÉ OF CHIQUITOS |
|
Some kilometers from where the actual town of San José was founded in 1561, is the original town of Santa Cruz, by Ñuflo of Chávez. Very quickly, the city’s location changed to become the metropolis that is known today--very different from the calm town of San José, where time seems to stop. The mission of San José itself is marked by the entire use of rock due to the absence of large trees in the region. Nevertheless, the altar and the doors of the church, finely chiseled in wood, are magnificent examples of the skill of the Indian craftsmenship. The mission and its long façade, magnificently illuminated by the sun as it sets, was built from 1750 to 1754 by the native population, under the direction of some of the Jesuits. The Utopian dream itself was quickly destroyed when the 47 disciples of the Company of Jesus, dispersed between 25 missions, were expelled from the Americas in 1767. Their wonderful success had been perceived as a threat by the Spanish and Portuguese crowns, who were themselves in dispute over the land of the New World. |
| |
| REV. FATHER MARTIN SCHMIDT (1694 - 1772) |
|
| Among the European Missionaries (a large number of them were Spaniards) that arrived at Chiquitania, the dominant personality was the Swiss Rev. Father Martin Schmidt. Architect of the churches of San Javier, San Rafael and Concepción, he was a creative influence in areas as diverse as sculpture, editing a Spanish-Chiquitano dictionary, the manufacture of musical instruments and even the writing of locally popular musical scores, through which he helped the indigenous people to increase their own knowledge. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
| |
 Included |
|
- Spanish speaking guide
- Entrance to parks and cultural places mentioned in program
- Private transport / Spanish - speaking driver
- 2/3-star hotels in twin room including breakfast
- Meals mentioned
|
| |
| Not included |
|
- Individual equipment
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Open meals mentioned, (from $ 3 to $ 8 US per person / meal).
|
| |
| More information |
|
General sales terms and conditions
Technical infos / Advice / Equipment.
Inquire about our prices |
| |
| Important |
|
|
As a safety measure, we ask that each traveler bring a copy of its passport and insurance policy (do give us upon arrival) |
| |
|
|
