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Misions of Baja California, Mexico Galleries

Misión San Francisco Javier - Baja California Sur, Mexico : This amazing Mision, 22 miles down some rough dirt roads in the middle of some rugged desert mountains was built with stone from the surrounding hills. The mision was built in the shape of a latin cross, roofed with a groin vault and transept crowned with a cupola, amazed for its exterior decoration, as well as for its glass windows, first ever in California. Its sumptuous interior was decorated with three baroque carved and gilded wooden altar-pieces, makde in Mainland Mexico ain the middle of the 18th Century and brought ship and mules from Tepozotlan 250 years ago. The main altar-piece glorifying the Company of Jesus, was dedicated to San Francisco Javier, one of the two greatest Jesuit saints and untiring propagator of the Christian Faith. San Javier was known as "The Apostle of the Indias" due to the evangelization work he performed from India to Japan. The lateral altar-pieces were dedicated to San Ignacio de Loyola and to Neustra Senora de los Dolores. This mission was one of the most beautiful of all the missions we visited in the Baja Peninsula. The drive to the mission only added to the adventure and is one that shouldnt be missed if visiting Loreto. If you would like to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print - Thank You for Looking

Misión San Francisco Javier - Baja California Sur, Mexico

This amazing Mision, 22 miles down some rough dirt roads in the middle of some rugged desert mountains was built with stone from the surrounding hills. The mision was built in the shape of a latin cross, roofed with a groin vault and transept crowned with a cupola, amazed for its exterior decoration, as well as for its glass windows, f ...

Updated: Nov 23, 2008 6:32pm PST

Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto – Baja California Sur, Mexico : Loreto was the first mission and capital of the Californias. It is considered as the origin of all missions of Alta and Baja California. Many expeditions that made possible the establishment of other missions and later the development of towns and cities departed from this place. Therefore, this is one of the most beloved missionary places of the Baja peninsula. It was founded by father Juan Miria de Salvatierra who, on October 25, 1967, gave the first mass in this place. Father Francisco Marja Piccolo and Captain Antonio Garcia de Mendoza, together with the local “guaycura” Indians, built the mission’s first temple. Later, in 1740, father Jaime Bravo started the construction of a larger temple, which was finished in 1752. It has endured the pounding of hurricanes and earthquakes that many times have put it on the verge of collapsing. Today it stands as a triumph of the faith and a South California contribution to the building of the Mexican Nation in the great northern part of the American Continent of Baja. There is a nice museum located right beside the mission that explains many of the surrounding missions and their builders. Before our adventure in Baja, we never knew how important these structures and the faith they bring with them were to developing this harsh land. If you would like to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print - Thank You for Looking

Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto – Baja California Sur, Mexico

Loreto was the first mission and capital of the Californias. It is considered as the origin of all missions of Alta and Baja California. Many expeditions that made possible the establishment of other missions and later the development of towns and cities departed from this place. Therefore, this is one of the most beloved missionary ...

Updated: Nov 23, 2008 3:20pm PST

Misión San Ignacio - Baja California Sur, Mexico : In 1728, father Juan Bautista Luyando and father Sebastian Sistiga, founded this mission and dedicated it to San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Company of Jesus. Father Fernando Consag started building this temple, but was not finished until probably 1786, when Dominican father Juan Crisostomo Gomez was in charge. This mission had a very important role in the missional regime expantion, since the local soil and climate allowed an early agricultural development, activity that helped the foundation of other religious settlements. During the first third of the XIX century, the indigenous population disappeared completely from the mission's territory due to epidemic disease and cultural changes in their way of life. The mission stopped working and gave way to a different society, formed by "mestizo" families that assured the national identity in this far away part of the country. The site where this mission was built was discovered by Jesuit Franciso Maria Piccolo, in November 19th, 1716. This place was originally known by local indians as "Kadakaaman", word in cochimi language meaning "Stream of Reeds". The little town of San Ignasio today is very small and quaint, yet holds a charm that reminds me of what old world Mexico must have been like. A beautiful town square, amazing stone construction and very inviting people that made our visit wonderful. If you would like to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print - Thank You for Looking

Misión San Ignacio - Baja California Sur, Mexico

In 1728, father Juan Bautista Luyando and father Sebastian Sistiga, founded this mission and dedicated it to San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Company of Jesus. Father Fernando Consag started building this temple, but was not finished until probably 1786, when Dominican father Juan Crisostomo Gomez was in charge. This mission ha ...

Updated: Nov 17, 2008 10:06pm PST