|
|
 |
| Mission
circuit |
|
5 days /
4 nights
|
| Includes: |
|
-
4-night accommodation
– Breakfasts
- Private
transportation
- Sightseeing through
the towns of San
Javier, Concepción,
San Ignacio, Santa
Ana, San Rafael and
San Miguel.
- Visits to museums
- Visits to churches
- Visits to handcraft
shops in San Miguel
- Visits to natural
attractions
- Full board
- Bilingual guide
|
| |
Forest
Tour Operator
591-3-3372042
591-3-3360037
Forest@mail.zuper.net
|
|
Validity:
01-01-2002 through
12-31-2002.
|
| Jesuit
Missions |
|
4
days / 3 nights
|
| Includes: |
|
-
2-night accommodation
at Hotel Los Tajibos
- In Concepción,
accommodation
according to package
- Tour of the missions
– Breakfasts
- City tours in Santa
Cruz
-
Airport/hotel/airport
transfers (Santa Cruz)
- Transportation to
the missions
- Full board at the
missions
- Specialized tour
guide
|
| |
Tajibos
Tours
591-3-3429046
591-3-3426994
Tajiboastours@lostajiboshotal.com
|
|
Validity:
01-01-2002 through
12-31-2002
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The
region of Chiquitanía owes its common name to
the province of Chiquitos, named after the
original inhabitants of the zone, the
Chiquitos or Chiquitanos. Here, the Jesuits
founded several missions in the second half of
the 17th century.
It is precisely in this region, of extensive
tropical plains and gentle slopes known as lomeríos,
that genuine architectonic jewels remain
guarded by peoples that still preserve
interesting cultural manifestations of the
missionary age. This is reflected in their
International Renaissance and Baroque Music
Festival. Thus, UNESCO had plenty of reasons
to declare this a "World Cultural
Heritage" circuit.
Cultural tourism of the mission circuit is
focused on its churches and the production of
textiles.
The plant life of this region is characterized
by the existence of evergreen typical forest
vegetation, and its Amazon fauna is diverse.
|
 |
Access |
 |
|
The
Santa Cruz de la Sierra-Corumbá/Sao Paulo
railroad passes through San José de
Chiquitos, Roboré and Aguas Calientes. One of
the recommended routes to visit the churches
and historical sites of San Rafael, San Miguel
and Santa Ana starts precisely from San José.
Air taxi services are also available, leaving
from El Trompillo Airport (Santa Cruz de la
Sierra) to the most important Jesuit missions,
which have landing strips controlled by
AASANA, the national airport authority. Only
San Ignacio de Velasco is served regularly by
weekly TAM airlines (Transportes Aéreos
Militares) flights.
Otherwise, you can travel by a paved highway
from La Paz to Santa Cruz, and continue your
trip to the towns of San Javier, Concepción,
San Ignacio, San Miguel, San Rafael, Santa Ana
and San José, staying overnight in each town.
|
|
Tourist Attractions |
|
|
 San
Javier Jesuit Mission
The
baroque church built between 1749 and 1752,
and restored between 1987 and 1993, is part of
the first Jesuit mission founded in Chiquitos
in 1691. The edifice invites visitors to
admire the artistic beauty of its architecture
including the ornate carvings of its columns
and wood drawings in brownish yellow hues. An
added attraction is the possibility of
enjoying cultural events such as baroque and
Renaissance music concerts, which have given
significant impetus to tourism in the region.
|
|
 Concepción
Jesuit Mission
The
baroque mission church, built between 1752 and
1753, was restored and rededicated again in
1982. This basilica opens its doors to let
visitors admire the beauty of its
three-section nave, rows of sculpted wooden
columns, altars and paintings done by local
people. Besides the unforgettable sight of the
church at sundown, the staging of cultural
events – such as baroque music concerts –,
the Holy Week, the visit to the Sapocó resort
and motorboat sailing at the dam are the main
attractions of this locality.
|
|
 San
Ignacio Jesuit Mission
This
mission church building is modern, but its
altars, pulpit and confessionals have
maintained the original structure. Other
places to visit in San Ignacio include
handcraft workshops where artisans use natural
materials and production techniques inherited
from their ancestors.
|
|
 San
Miguel Jesuit Mission
Founded
in 1721, the mission has a church that was
completely restored maintaining the
architectural style of other churches in the
zone. Its gold-leaf altar is unique, as are
its ceiling, engravings and the impressive
beauty of its murals and carvings.
|
|
 San
Rafael Jesuit Mission
The San
Rafael Jesuit mission church was built between
1747 and 1749 and has recently been restored
by a team of artisans. The altar of this
basilica, covered in gold-leaf, as well as its
porticos and wooden carved columns are
remarkable. Another reason to visit the area
is the natural beauty of the surrounding
highland landscape.
|
|
 San
José Jesuit Mission
The
uniqueness of this mission church, built in
1740, is its facade built entirely of stone
and its design which is different from other
churches in the circuit. The natural
surroundings are suitable for the practice of
active tourism activities. This highland area
has great potential for the practice of
trekking, mountain climbing, orientation
activities, aerial sports, etc.
|
|
 Santa
Ana Jesuit Mission
The
church of the Santa Ana mission, founded in
1755, is the one that preserves local elements
in the most authentic way offering a
delightful experience. Undoubtedly, one of the
most important religious festivals is the Holy
Week, characterized by processions surrounded
by flowers, plants and palm-leaf arches. The
town also boasts a dam where you can enjoy a
swim in its crystalline waters.
|
|
|
