Church of San Miguel de Velasco


The main attraction of the small Bolivian town of San Miguel de Velasco is the church of the same name. The cathedral is one of the creations of a Jesuit mission in the Santa Cruz area . Many travelers who visited the church of San Miguel de Velasco, celebrate its extraordinary beauty and harmony, which is able to interest and attract the attention of tourists.

The Wealth and Luxury of the Cathedral

The pride of the church is the ancient frescoes, which decorate the roof and altar of the cathedral. Art historians note their incredible resemblance to the Sistine Chapel of the work of Michelangelo. The interior of the church of San Miguel de Velasco is luxurious, after all, it consumed over 450 kg of gold. Today the cost of the altar is about seven million USD.

Today the church of San Miguel de Velasco appears before the visitors in almost the same form as at the end of the 18th century. This allows you not only to enjoy its religious atmosphere, but to feel yourself a resident of those distant times. The cathedral was subjected to only one major reconstruction. The fact is that the massive columns at the entrance to the cathedral were dilapidated and after two centuries they were rendered unusable. Their segments have been replaced by modern ones, and the traces of work are skillfully disguised.

Useful information for tourists

You can visit the church of San Miguel de Velasco at any time. If you want to see the altar and frescoes, then you should choose the time when the cathedral is not in service. In addition, take your clothes seriously. It should not be too open or transparent.

How to get to the church?

The most convenient way to reach this point of interest in Bolivia by car. For this it is enough to specify the coordinates of the place: 16.69737S, 60.96897W, which will lead you to the goal. Also at your disposal are local taxis.