SAN IGNACIO DE VELASCO, BOLIVIA
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San Ignacio de Loyola de Velasco (not to be confused with the other mission town San Ignacio de Moxos, in the department of Beni) was established in 1748 under Friars Miguel Areijer and Diego Contreras and is the largest of the towns found along the Jesuit Mission circuit. Because it is located near the border with Brazil, it is also very commercially active. It is also the principal entry point if you are going to visit Noel Kempff Mercado
Noel Kempff National Park
Its original church was destroyed in 1974, and replaced by a new one; however its altar and parts of the new building were saved from the original church. It is very beautiful and its population has done a good job of maintain many of the colonial customs and traditions that make it attractive to tourists. There are several workshops here where you can watch as pottery, hammocks, embroidery, leather items, and carved wooden furniture and ornamental items are created by local artisans. Nearby communities have also maintained many of their indigenous customs. Spanish is the most commonly used language among the town's 13,000 inhabitants; however, some also speak Portuguese because San Ignacio is so close to Brazil. The most common indigenous language in San Ignacio and surroundings is Chiquitano. There are also some Germans and a few Mennonite families in the area. Make time to see the church’s spectacular altar, considered the most ornate in the entire Chiquitos region. Its sacristy is also beautiful. From here you can take day trips to
San Miguel,
Santa Ana,
and
San Rafael,
three of the other towns on the Jesuit Mission circuit. From here you can also travel to
San Javier
on a gravel road, and from San Javier to
Santa Cruz
by paved highway. It is locates 175 kilometers from Concepción. There is a nice central plaza in front of the church.
Geoffrey A.P. Groesbeck has dedicated many years, clearly much love, and an entire website to this unique region of Bolivia. I strongly urge you to view Mr. Groesbeck's website as it is THE most complete updated resource on
Bolivia's Jesuit Missions.
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