The Propaganda Fide Convent of San José in Tarata, Bolivia, has a history rooted in religious mission and the propagation of the faith in the region. Founded at the end of the 18th century to support the missions of “Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Mojos”, this convent has been a crucial point for the propagation of the Catholic faith in indigenous areas, as have the Franciscan missions in Guarayos and Chiquitos. The Franciscan friars, imbued with the charism of fraternity, used music as a means to transmit the faith with humility and love to the natives, sharing their message in the local language. In addition, the arrival of the relics of San Severino in 1835 consolidated its religious importance, making it a place of devotion and veneration for the local community.
Declared a National Monument in 1971, the convent, together with its church and small square, constitutes an architectural complex of great historical and religious value. The convent stands out for its ample cloister with galleries adorned with columns carved in stone and semicircular brick arches, which support a mezzanine of wood, clay and brick, evoking the Franciscan style. In addition, on the second floor there is a library with more than 12,000 volumes of books dating from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, adding significant historical and cultural value to the complex. Its complete restoration in 2008 has allowed this former convent to be transformed into a Spirituality Center, providing a space for spiritual retreats for priests, religious and committed lay people. In addition to its spiritual importance, the Tarata convent also plays a prominent role in the Music Route, as its location in a region rich in cultural traditions contributes to Bolivia’s musical and cultural heritage.
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Unnamed Road, Tarata, Bolivia - Web
https://conventofranciscano.com/ - Visiting Hours
Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - What to see
Museum, Library
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