Jesuitical Missions in Misiones

The Jesuitical Missions in Argentina are located in Misiones province, and remain as testimony of the antique cultural life of the region, the Jesuitical ruins circuit allows to learn step by step the colonization and evangelization of the native’s history along the European conquer of the American territory.

The tour make stops in more than one place where the ruins still domain the landscape, some with less importance than others but all worth of being known. The different reductions (towns integrated by indigenous communities gathered to learn catechism) invites to a time travel to experience those events.

The access to San Ignacio Mini ruins, are the most famous between the missions, the interpretation and recreation center Jesuit-Guaraní has 9 saloons that with a historic relate rebuild the past since the first Spanish arrival, including a model of the reductions, and finishing with an exciting and educational show that with lights and sound revive the events among XVII and XVIII century.
  
In a more natural state and hidden in the jungle in the surroundings other minor ruins exhibit its events theory. The ruins of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, are located to 19 Kilometers away from Posadas; Santa Ana ruins are located to 40 Kilometers from the provincial capital; Nuestra Señora de Loreto ruins are situated to 10 Kilometers from Santa Maria la Mayor ruins that appears after Itacaruaré; are the following stops in the itinerary.

An interesting architecture, decorated with guarani influenced figures is the main attractive of this magnificent tourist destination that allows discovering the organization of the city on the times where the square and the temple use to be the structural exes.

San Ignacio Jesuitical reductions are a necessary trace of the Jesuit priests ordeal, that ends abruptly due Carlos III command, after 200 years of evangelization and education in Argentinean lands. Place of history, legends, magic and mystery.

San Ignacio Miní

San Ignacio Miní Ruins are a constant pilgrimage center in Misiones province. According the history the priests José Cataldino and Simón Masceta founded in 1610, in the region of Guayrá (Brasil), the San Ignacio Miní reduction along others that in 1631, were besiege by Portuguese slave hunters (bandeirantes). Only in San Ignacio town and Nuestra Señora del Loreto town survived from the attacks, migrating in 1632 and establishing a new home by Yabebirí River shore, in Misiones province.

San Ignacio Miní became in the place where Hill our times remain the ruins. Later all the reductions, even this were destroyed by the Paraguayans in 1817, and fully restored in 1940.

Nowadays the San Ignacio Miní ruins are very important in Misiones province, and are considered important part of the history preserving the place as one of the main tourist attractive of the area.
The Jesuit Missions were declared Historic Province Monument in 1969 and Humanity patrimony in 1984.

Nuestra Señora de Loreto

Once established in Misiones, this reduction stands out by having an important library and the first American printer’s; and also by its production diversity. In the Jesuit complex stands out the temple, where are berried Antonio Ruiz de Montoya relics; while other significant elements are the ruins of Virgen de Loreto chapel.

Santa Ana

The first foundation of the Jesuit-Guarani Town of Santa Ana was in 1633 in Brazilian territory. Due the “bandeirantes” invasion were moved to the actual location in 1660. In this mission are preserved one of the biggest ruins. It is considered Provincial monument since 1969; National since 1983, and Human Patrimony since 1984.

Santa María La Mayor

Santa María reduction is the unique Jesuit complex of the occidental shore of Uruguay River that preserved architectonical remains. It exhibit big walls and excellent technical resolution, chapel ruins, tajamares, trenches and paths. Is notable the conservation state of the residences ruins, the shops and the temple, the original was destroyed by a fire in XIX century.
It is National Monument since 1945 and Humanity Patrimony since 1984.

How to get there

It is possible to get from Buenos Aires by plane Hill Posadas Airport and subsequently continue by land hiring authorized travel agencies or tourism operators that will guide you by the different departments where the Jesuit Missions ruins are settled.

Useful information

- San Ignacio Ruins are open to the public daily from 7:00 to 19:00

Phone: (03752) 470186

- The visitors have to acquire the entrances and the rates vary according nationality of the tourists, the entrances includes basic guide service included, the tickets are valid for 15 days with access to 4 places, one time by place.