San Ignacio,
Baja California Sur
Photography by Bill Bell
San Ignacio is an palm oasis in the middle of the Baja desert. It is
well worth a stop on the Baja Highway journey. It has a small plaza
with shade and a few restaurants, a museum and a well restored Mission church
built in the 17th century.
Click on any photograph to view in larger format
On a fertile ravine 89 miles south of Guerrero Negro you'll find the
beautiful town of San Ignacio, a stark contrast to the mysterious sierras
and the dry desert. On the way into the center of town, you'll pass over an
underground river that enters a quiet lagoon bordered byy huge date palm trees.
If you're driving the peninsula, this true desert oasis is a refreshing
stopover.
The road continues until it reaches a small plaza decorated by leafy Indian
trees. The majestic church of San Ignacio de Loyola rises at the front of this
plaza. Narrow little streets and antique houses converge at this spot.
The place that the Cochimes call Kadacaaman (red grass river) was "discovered"
on November 19, 1716 by the Jesuit Father Francisco Maria Piccolo. The founding
father of the mission, begun on January 20, 1778, was the Mexican Jesuit Juan
Bautista Luyando, who devoted much of his life to the mission and its people.
Jesuit Fernando Consag was responsible for much of the construction of the
church, utilizing 4 feet wide blocks of volcanic rock which originated from the
nearby volcanoes, Las Tres Virgenes. Construction was completed in 1786. Due to
its solid walls, the building has barely changed over the years and is one of
the most beautiful missions in the Baja California peninsula.
In addition to the magnificent facade with it's decorated, carved stone, the
building’s interior consists of a great alter of carved wood and gold finish,
seven oil paintings and a statue of San Ignacio de Loyola. These are truly
jewels of religious art of the XVII century. A visit to the church is one of the
highlights of San Ignacio.
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