HOW TO GET THERE

The Mission Museum is located on Salvatierra St. adjacent to the church in the town of Loreto 412 km south of Guerrero Negro and 359 km north of La Paz on the Transpeninsular Highway or by plane to the International Airport of Loreto.

ORIGIN

The museum building dates from the 18th century. The construction was ordered by the Visitor General José de Galvez. The building was originally constructed to be a general warehouse and commisariat. After several reconstructions and consecutive uses: prison, primary school, secondary school and "casa de la cultura" the Federal Government expropriated the building and declared it a museum in 1973.

DESCRIPTION

The museum building was constructed with materials from the region: stone, brick, shell lime, mezquite wood, ironwood and palm. It has a big patio for cultural activities and various collections are exhibited inside: firearms and tools of the conquest epoch, paintings and sculptures of the 17th and 18th centuries which are unique in their category in Baja California. The portraits of the founder of the Jesuit Order, Ignacio de Loyola, the Apostle Santiago and Saint Michael the Archangel are outstanding paintings. Within the sculpture collection the reclining Christ is the most important for its dimension and beauty. It is an a almost natural size figure, with articulated arms made of polychrome ornamented wood; in the Ethnographic Collection, the museum offers a select sample of arts and crafts of the region: saddles, halters made of horse hair and the typical dress of the southcalifornian countryperson. One of the most treasured objects of the museum is a big bell which in 1875 fell into the sea when it was being loaded to ship it to another mission. It was rescued one hundred years later by the nets of fishermen in 1975.

ACTIVITIES

Those pertaining to a museum: guided visits to groups and individuals (previous appointment), cultural activities in the Museum Cultural Patio: performances, recitals, conferences, round table discussions, etc. Trips to San Javier and other places of interest. Golf, tennis. Ecological tours. Shopping. Arts and Crafts.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Commercial photography and videos are not permitted in the museum or church without previous authorization of INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) The use of flash is not permitted. Ask for tour information in travel agencies or in your hotel.