The Orientation of Jesuit Churches in the Chiquitos Missions of Eastern Bolivia

Research on the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos in eastern Bolivia reveals that half of the ten studied churches exhibit potential canonical orientations aligned with solar phenomena, including three with precise equinoctial alignment. Unlike the north–south meridian orientations predominant in the Province of Paraquaria, these findings suggest a deliberate design to optimize illumination effects on significant internal elements, likely influenced by Baroque church architecture principles. The study combines archaeoastronomical measurements with landscape context analysis to propose reasons for these orientations, advancing our understanding of the evangelization strategies and architectural intent of Jesuit missionaries in the region.

Gangui, A. (2021). The Orientation of Jesuit Churches in the Chiquitos Missions of Eastern Bolivia. Journal of Skyscape Archaeology, 159–181. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsa.19631