Franciscan Design in the Missions of Guarayos

A Study of the Churches of Ascensión, Yaguarú, Urubichá, and Yotaú

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze Franciscan architecture in the Guarayos missions of Bolivia, focusing on the study of the four temples built during the consolidation stage of the missions in the towns of Ascensión, Yaguarú, Urubichá, and Yotaú. The objective is to detect the influence of Franciscan spirituality on the architecture of these buildings.

To this end, a brief review of the history of the Franciscans in Bolivia and particularly in Guarayos is carried out in order to understand the context in which these temples were built. Then, a historical review of each of them is provided, followed by an analysis of the architecture in general.

The study is based on an exhaustive review of primary sources, such as the Manuscript TAF 1895 and the writings of Father José Cardús and Father Bernardino Pesciotti, as well as on old photographs taken by the photographer L. Lavadenz.

Through the detailed analysis of these sources, the key characteristics of the "Franciscan-Guarayo" temple are described, and the interior elements and materials that constitute it are examined in depth, in a process of exchange, adaptation, and integration between the foreign and the local. This results in an architecture that reflects and adapts to the regional context, generating an architecture with "regional or local coloration".

In conclusion, the analyzed model reflects several fundamental aspects of Franciscan spirituality, such as the love of poverty and the poor, the love of nature and simple preaching. However, it also raises questions about the reconciliation of these ideals with the dynamics of predominance and control present in this context, leaving this topic for future research, as it is not the focus of the present discussion.