CATEDRAL DE LA INMACULADA CONCEPCIÓN

The church of Concepción is one of the most representative of the Jesuit Missions. It was founded in 1709 by Father Lucas Cabellero, but the building itself was built between 1753 and 1756. It was completely restored between 1975 and 1982 by the architect Hans Roth. Above its magnificent entrance you can read "Casa de Dios y Puerta del Cielo" (House of God and Gateway to Heaven), which is a very good introduction to the beauty of this building in the Creole Baroque style and with its sumptuous ornaments. The first thing you notice are the pillars, which are enormous! Each one weighs between 3 and 8 tons. The entrance leads to the main hall. No two chairs are alike. And, if you look carefully, you notice that each wooden seat has an episode from the Bible engraved on the side. It is a huge room, with a total surface area of about 1,200 square metres. The altar is richly decorated (baroque style). The woodwork shows a wealth of decorative invention. The Jesuit symbol can be seen in the part of the altar closest to the sky. This true architectural jewel, the work of Indian artists, testifies to their love of the craft and their extraordinary skill.

The entrance ticket to the church also allows you to visit the church museum and the Museo Misional in the main square on the same day, but it is also rewarding to attend mass.