Le 9 avril - San Javier

A 32km de Loreto se trouve la mission de San Javier. 10km de route pavé, 22km de route rocheuse, étroite et plein de virages a 90 degré. Toute une expérience, heureusement John est un super conducteur. La piste s´élève à travers la Sierra de la Giganta et surplombes des canyons verdoyants. Au bout d'une heure, on atteint la mission, au creux des montagnes au milieu d´une oasis. Il y a pleins d'oliviers centenaires situés qui furent plantés par le missionnaires jésuites au 18e siècle.

The site was originally inhabited by the Cochimíes, who named the place Viggé Biaundó. Jesuit Father Francisco María Píccolo visited the place on May 11, 1699. He started the construction of a chapel in October of the same year and Father Juan María de Salvatierra dedicated it to All Saints the 1st of November. Father Juan de Ugarte, one of the most esteemed missionaries of the conquest, took charge of the mission in 1701. He introduced cattle breeding, big and small species, developed agriculture and taught the locals to thread and knit wool, not only for themselves, but also for the missionary project in general. The construction of the Church of San Francisco Javier was begun in 1744 by Father Miguel del Barco and was finished in 1759. The church, considered one of the most beautiful and well preserved of the Baja, was built with stone taken from quarry from the bed of the brook of Santo Domingo 20 km southeast of San Javier. Its original barroque appearance has been well preserved; its interior has: a golden altarpiece with five oleos, brought from Mexico City in thirty two boxes; two statues: one of San Francisco Javier and another one of Our Lady of Guadalupe; and a crucifix, all of these are from the 18th century. It has three bells, two of them are dated 1761 and the other one 1803. There is a monument of that time at the end of the street that leads to the church. It is known as "the Cross of Calvary". From there hundreds of pilgrims who visit the patron saint in December walk sometimes on their knees. I was wearing shorts, I did not give it a try.