Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó

 

We love to explore the areas we arrive at, sometimes by land and others times by sea.  The idea is to stay as long as it takes to get to know someplace, it's people, cultures, norms, etc.  Our first trip to Loreto was right as Mexico was locking down for COVID, March 2020.  Because only 200 people reside in San Javier, if you were not a resident as verified by a resident, then you were not allowed to proceed down the road that takes you to this cool place!  But now we can, so we did!

The mission was first established in 1697 by Jesuit Priest that came via the sea from SAN BLAS (more on this place later)!  The original site was not hospitable at all, mainly there was not a consistent supply of fresh water.  The expedition heard of a new location so in 1699 they set out to find and establish the mission, exactly where you see it above.  We drove the 34 KM from Loreto to the mission, it took an hour.   These guys did it on horse back and foot and that is pretty dam impressive.

The mission was dedicate on December 3rd 1699.  You can read about the history of it here.  The Mission at San Javier

Some interesting bits we learned during our short time here.  Much of the current structure is original.  Including the foundation, floor, arch way, glass windows and many other pieces.

This entire room is original.  I suspect expect for the flowers and Tami :)

This amazing wall is original as well.  Our guide shared with us all the saints and angles depicted here, but I did not write it all down - sorry.

This hinge was built in 1699!  They no longer use the front doors to preserve these awesome pieces of history.

Factoid - Every year, on December 2nd, pilgrims from all of the world come to mission.  We were told the population of the small villages goes from 200 to 7000 people!

As I mentioned above the original site was not easy to cultivate.  This location doesn't appear to much better to me.  However, they do have +300 year old olive trees.  Apparently the first in the Americas.  We also were able to tour the original irrigation system - pretty bitchen.

The Holy Tree and Tami

A part of the irrigation system that remains today.