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Our Lady
of Loreto Church |
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HOW TO GET THERE
The Church and Mission of Our
Lady of Loreto is located on Salvatierra St. in 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.
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ORIGIN
The site was explored for the
first time in 1684 by the Jesuits Eusebio Francisco Kino and Matías Goñi and members of
the expedition under the command of Admiral Isidro de Atondo y Antillón. The 25th of
October of 1697 the Jesuit Juan María de Salvatierra established the Mission of Our Lady
of Loreto, and created the first permanent human settlement of the Californias.
DESCRIPTION
The church was built by Father
Jaime Bravo during the 30's in the 18th century. It has only one aisle. Its walls are made
of carved quarry stone. It has square columns with round arches that support the ceiling
which is made of wood beams and a flat slab. The frontpiece has an affixed bell tower. It
was partially destroyed by an earthquake and suffered severe reconstructions at different
times, not always in accordance to its original style. Nevertheless, it still keeps a
beautiful golden altarpiece carved in wood with five oleos, a bell dated in 1734 and a
crucifix. Its walls are adorned with six huge oleos and the Via Crucis, all of these
pieces are from the 18th century.
ACTIVITIES
Visit the colonial monuments: the
Church of Our Lady of Loreto and the Mission Museum. Festivities of the Patron Saint from
September 5 to 8. Sports fishing - Aquatic Sports. Trips to the Islands of Coronado,
Carmen and Danzantes. Excursions to the Mission of San Francisco Javier and other
interesting sites. Golf and tennis. Ecological tours in the surroundings. Shopping. Arts
and Crafts.
RECOMMENDATIONS
No commercial photography and
video of the church without prior permission of INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología
e Historia). The use of flash is not permitted. The Loreto zone is highly recommended for
ecological tourism due to its nature, islands and coastline. Consult local travel agencies
or your hotel.
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