Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos

Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia

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The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos in the Santa Cruz Department of Bolivia were established between the late 17th and mid-18th centuries by Jesuit missionaries aiming to convert indigenous peoples.

These missions were planned based on the “ideal city” concept, featuring a large rectangular plaza framed on three sides by houses of the indigenous community and a church complex occupying the fourth side.

The missions are renowned for their unique Baroque-mestizo architectural style that blends European Christian church design with local indigenous building traditions, especially evident in the use of wood and vibrant artistic decorations. The churches typically have wooden columns, three interior aisles, exterior galleries, and intricate carvings, except San José, which is stone-built and has a more traditional Baroque style.

These missions became autonomous, self-sufficient communities fostering rich cultural exchanges, including music and art, and are today a UNESCO World Heritage site valued for their historical, architectural, and cultural significance.

Restoration projects in recent decades have helped preserve these remarkable structures and the living heritage of the region.