Overview:

The Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, or Misión de Jesús de Chiquitos, is a network of 18th century Jesuit churches located in the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The mission is comprised of seven villages with churches, chapels and other features, all of which were founded by the Jesuits in the 18th century as part of their effort to evangelize the local population. Since the 17th century, the Jesuits had been assigned to this area of Bolivia in order to work with the local peoples, particularly the Chiquitano and Chiriguanos. Their efforts in building the mission were aimed at strengthening their influence in the region and creating social structures to bring the indigenous peoples closer to the Catholic Church. Today, the ruins of the mission are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to the religious and cultural influences of the Jesuit missionaries in this part of South America. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bolivia
Prominent Features:

The Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos are a group of six churches in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia, part of the original thirty that were built in the region during the 18th century. The churches were built by Spanish Jesuit missionaries in an effort to bring Christianity to the people of the region, and the churches demonstrate a unique combination of Baroque and Moorish architectural styles. The churches are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "remarkable examples of the major exchanges of values, symbols and architectural models between Europe and Latin America in the late 18th and early 19th centuries." The churches are known for their richly painted interiors and their abundance of sculptures and oil paintings. Visitors to the churches can also explore the surrounding forests, mountains and lagoons, as well as nearby ruins and colonial schools built by the Jesuits. This national monument of Bolivia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Jesuit missions of the Chiquitos in Bolivia are a series of Roman Catholic missions which were established in the region of Chiquitos in the late 17th century by the Jesuit Order. The mission movement in the Chiquitos region of Bolivia began with a trio of priests; brothers Luis and Juan de Ampues and Inigo Maciel, who arrived in 1691. Under the leadership of Father Luis de Ampues, the missionaries began their work of creating missions for the native population. The mission movement was initially met with resistance from the local population as the missionaries were seen as a threat to the indigenous way of life. In an effort to appease the authorities, the Jesuits offered the indigenous populations freedom of religion and were given permission to create new settlements. In 1709, the Mission of San Jose de Chiquitos was created, followed in 1710 by the creation of Nuestra Señora de Loreto. These two missions served as the model for the larger mission network that would be created in the Chiquitos region. Over the course of the 18th century, the Jesuits created 14 additional missions and 6 annexes containing more than 60 settlements. These missions were built using stone, clay, and timber in a unique baroque style which incorporated traditional indigenous elements such as geometric patterns and symbols. The mission network of the Chiquitos provided the indigenous population of the region with a religious education, medical care, and economic stability. The work of the missionaries also led to a period of peace and stability for the native populations who had previously been subject to conflicts with neighboring tribes. The Jesuit mission of the Chiquitos came to an end in 1767 following the expulsion of the Jesuit Order from Spanish America. The mission buildings were subsequently abandoned and many fell into disrepair. In 1991, seven of the missions were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and today they continue to serve as a reminder of the important role the Jesuits played in facilitating the spread of Catholicism to the natives of the region. You must visit one of these historical places in Bolivia on your Bolivia tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990, due to their great contributions to the preservation of the native culture, language, and musical styles in this region in Bolivia. 2. The missions were founded by Spanish Jesuit priests in the late 17th century, and were established on lands previously inhabited by the Chiquitano Indians. 3. The villages were planned according to a grid system and were laid out in a way that reflected the ideals of the Jesuit order. 4. The churches in the missions were built in a unique mission-style architecture that combines Baroque and indigenous elements. 5. The missions played an important role in preserving native culture, and the remains of the villages still contain a large number of artworks, including numerous wooden sculptures and paintings. 6. An important musical style, Chiquitana, was developed in the Jesuit missions. This style combines traditional European musical styles with the native music tradition of the Chiquitanos. 7. The missions were abandoned in the late 18th century after the expulsion of the Jesuits from South America. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bolivia with your friends and family.