Bolivia: San Xavier Mission

There are six historic jesuit mission in the eastern Bolivia that are a combined UNESCO World Heritage site. Can Javier is the oldest of the six, founded in 1691 by Jesuit priests (mostly Swiss and German) working with Chiquitano, Guarayo, and other indigenous groups to “bring the so much needed Jesus into their lives”. The mission church is truly stunning – is one of the best-preserved examples of Jesuit mission architecture in the Chiquitania region and has beautiful baroque-mestizo wood carvings, paintings, and a very ornate interior. It was built entirely without metal nails using local hardwoods, and it’s unlike any religious architecture you’ve seen before – the detail and lavishness are truly over the top! There is an insane main altar, completely gilded, with columns, angels, vines, flowers, birds, and carvings of pineapples, cacao, and tropical fruits. There are six lateral altars, all very richly carved. There are also priceless oil paintings in the walls. The carving style is known as “Amazonian Baroque”, full of natural elements and motifs. The mission flourished in the 1700s, until Jesuit were expelled by the Spanish crown in 1767.