Jesuit missionary area in Chiquitos

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization recognized the Jesuit Mission Area in Chiquitos of Bolivia as a World Cultural Heritage in 1990.

The Jesuit missionary area in Chiquitos is located in the Santa Cruz region of eastern Bolivia. The mission area consists of 06 works out of 11 existing works.

The Jesuit missionary area in Chiquitos borders the territories of Spanish and Portuguese colonies in South America, most of which are unexplored and known in the 17th century. In the early 18th century, the King of Spain sent Jesuits of the Jesuits to explore the area and established 11 mission areas, 11 of which were used continuously for 76 years with the common name Chiquitos. .

The King of Spain then built churches in a very unique style combining elements of indigenous architecture with European architecture. This combination has made a special mark and resonated in the region as well as created many influences for religious works afterwards. These mission areas are perfectly planned and built with the task of self-sufficient living, living, and self-development needs, helping to stabilize the settlement of the people. The first period when the mission was established, the missionaries were responsible for teaching music of Europe, the Spanish for the indigenous people as a means to popularize religion.

If the outside architecture of the mission areas in Chiquitos has surprised people, then the architecture, the interior decoration also brings much more astonishment. Perhaps it is because of that that for many years, these projects attracted a large number of visitors and became an attractive destination in Bolivia .

Of the 11 established mission areas in Chiquitos, there are only 6 mission areas left. All six are located in the hot and arid land of Bolivia. Six missions include: San Francisco Javier, Concepción, Santa Ana, San Miguel, San Rafael and San José.

The western mission area is San Francisco Javier and Concepción located in Nuflo de Chavez province between the San Julian River and Urugayito. The mission area of ​​Santa Ana, San Miguel, San Rafael is located in the eastern part of the province of Jose Miguel de Velassco near the Brazilian border. The last mission area is San José, located in Chiquitos province, about 200 km south of San Rafael.

In addition to the preceding area, there are three well-known Jesuit missionaries, San Juan Bautista, Santo Corazon and Santiago de Chiquitor, which now have only remains of ruins that were not listed on the legacy list. gender. Of the 11 mission areas built by the King of Spain, there are two more, Miguel Velasco de Jose and San Ignacio de Velasco, which were built and established with the same purpose and still exist until but now not recognized as a world heritage because these two areas have been repaired and built not based on the original nature.

After many years of strong development, in 1767, Jesuits were expelled from the area, most of the Jesuit missionaries have been abandoned since then and become abandoned areas. crushed. Not only at Bolvia but also in this region of the region, this common situation occurred. That is why the six Jesuit mission areas in Chiquitos are the only mission areas that remain virtually intact so far.

In 1953, this mission area was once again at risk of being threatened by changes in the land reform of local people.

In 1972, the Congregation for the Missionary Mission began to be restored and from there missionary renovation projects began to be implemented. Since then until 1990, the Jesuit missionary area at Chiquitos has become more and more popular and has been visited by many people, admiring its unique architecture. Also in 1990, this mission area was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage by Unesco under the criteria (iv), (v).

Criterion (iv): Jesuit missionary area in Chiquitos with unique architecture combining native architecture with traditional architecture of Europe and Spain has created great artistic works. , remarkable in the world.

Criterion (v): The Jesuit missionary area at Chiquitos is vulnerable works of art, though it has overcome a difficult period even under the impact of the five-year Bolivian land reform. 1953.