Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó — Attraction in San Javier

Absolutely breath taking it is an epic landmark of the Americas..you can't miss it if you go to Loreto.

I conducted an anthropological research trip to San Javier in Baja, California Sur, to examine the Jesuit mission established in 1699. San Javier is a distinctive example of a Jesuit mission in Mexico, and its significance is closely tied to the historical context of the Jesuits' expulsion from New Spain.

Following their expulsion due to support for Native Americans, the Jesuits left a lasting impact on San Javier. Situated in the mountainous region near Loreto, the town provides a unique snapshot of early American colonization. Notably, the landscape includes a 332-year-old olive tree, one of the oldest in the Americas, date palms from North Africa, and orange trees from the Jesuits' plantings.

San Javier offers valuable insights into Jesuit missions' architectural and cultural aspects in North Mexico and the USA. The mission's unique ties with Japan and its historical connections add another layer of importance.

My exploration of San Javier focused on unraveling its historical layers as a unique example of a Jesuit mission. Examining the architecture, flora, and cultural influences helped provide a clear understanding of its development, especially considering the Jesuits' later expulsion...

I gave this four stars because the location itself is about a four star but my experience with the tour guide that took me up there was five star. The church is about 35 km away from the town of Laredo and you have to climb through the mountains on a very twisty turny road and when you get to the town it is a very small place. It has a bar, a couple of restaurants and one or two souvenir stores. That's it. Basically only the locals live there. The church which was built by the Jesuits is fascinating but if I had just dropped in to take a look at the church it would have been a bit of a miss Unless you've done your research.. But once you get the tour guide to give you a complete briefing on the history of the construction, the way things are being renovated, how they survived up there, how they got permission to build the church, etc. It's a fascinating place to go visit in the middle of nowhere 6000 ft above sea level and over 300 years old. It is...

A side trip to San Javier was a perfect addition to a visit to Loreto. Our rental car was a normal sedan, and we may have felt a bit more comfortable with 4 wheel drive for parts of the road that lead to San Javier, but it's a lovely drive, and there were no actual problems getting there. The simple aesthetic of the church is a delight, and the town is terrific for wandering. There were not many choices for food, but the one restaurant we found nearby (La Palapa) was just right. I highly recommend San Javier as a brief foray into...