Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
IGLESÍA DE SAN MIGUEL
;
CATEDRAL, SANTA CRUZ
; TREE FROG,
San Rafael
The second Jesuit mission in Chiquitos when it was founded in 1696, the town of
SAN
RAFAEL
sits 35km southeast of San Miguel, and boasts the biggest of all the region's Jesuit
churches, the
Iglesia de San Rafael
. A cavernous structure with a free-standing bell tower
supported by four spiralled wooden pillars, it was built under the direction of Martin Schmidt
between 1747 and 1749. The magnificent interior features beautiful frescoes of angels, and
some beautifully carved statues of saints in the alcoves of the golden altarpiece.
