The Jesuit Missions

The majority of visitors who make the journey to the Chiquitania come to see the astounding church complexes - and the settlements that preceded them - established by Jesuit missionaries between 1691 and 1760. It may seem odd that someone would travel to such a remote region to see a church, let alone seven of them and the ruins of three more. But.... Stay at home and you'll never know why, or make the journey and you'll never forget. When you're old and hoary and recounting the fondest memories of your life, this will be one of them.

A bell ringer calling the faithful to Mass	Early morning fog in the Chiquitos missions

All but one of these former missions are still active communities in every sense of the word. Even if you're not thunderstruck by the architectural, historical, and spiritual legacies of the Jesuits and their native partners (a unique example of successful integration between Europeans and native Americans), you've still got the cultural angle to explore, along with some of the most astounding natural beauty and wildlife in the entire Western Hemisphere.

What's more, if you like what you see in the way of the art other items here, you can - and should - buy them direct, thereby supporting the locals who make them, as well as furnishing your crib with the most beautiful, unique items imaginable, all for a pittance. The few dollars (yes, they take them here, but no Euros or pounds) you'll spend will bring much more direct, tangible good to these people than you think. And that's more than anything Home Depot or Wilkinson's ever will do for you.

In the pages that follow, each of the original ten (eleven, originally, but we'll get to that later) Jesuit mission settlements and their church complexes have pages to themselves. Each offers a brief overview of a town's (and its immediate environs) recommended places to see, eat, sleep, and times to visit, along with a list of essential services (e.g., banks, post offices). The first seven of these communities are known collectively as the Jesuit Missions Circuit (or Chiquitos Missions), starting with San Xavier and ending with San José de Chiquitos.

Not in this section are the towns of Santiago de Chiquitos and Santo Corazón. A lthough also Jesuit settlements, they are far enough off the beaten track (located in the far eastern reaches of the Sureste Cruzeño and the Pantanal, respectively) that they are covered in their respective geographical sections. Likewise with the now-abandoned San Juan Bautista (found in the Sureste Cruzeño section).

There are also pages that provide general overviews of the Jesuit Missions region's history, culture, music, and of course, those remarkable churches, as well as an all-important set of directions.

Note: The Chiquitania may be timeless, but many places on these lists are not. If you know that something is no more or has changed, please email me. ¡Un mil gracias!

The Vine Dance: San José de Chiquitos	A rooftop sentinel in the missions

Questions on the Jesuit Missions Circuit? Email me.