Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil)

Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil)

Short Report

The ruins of Sao Miguel das Missões in Brazil, and that of San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria la Mayor in Argentina, the core of a tropical forest. They are the impressive remains of five Jesuit Missions, build in the country of the Guaranis in the 17th and 18th century. Each is characterized by a specific layout and another state of conservation.

Wide Report

The remains of the Jesuit Missions are excellent examples of a type of building and of an architectural ensemble that illustrate an important period in the history of Argentina and Brazil. The ruins of Sao Miguel das Missões in Brazil and San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria la Mayor in Argentina is located in the middle of a tropical forest. They are impressive remains of five Jesuit Missions, build in the country of the Guaranis in the 17th and 18th century.

All these Guarani reducciones (settlements) are on the same model: the church, the residence of the fathers, and the regularly spaced houses of the Indians are around a large square. However, each of the reducciones is characterized by a specific layout and a different state of conservation. San Ignacio Miní, founded in 1611, was twice, establishment in its current location in 1696. It contains important monumental remains: churches, residence of the fathers, schools. The ruins are accessible and in a relatively good state of preservation. It is the most prominent example of a reduccion kept in Argentine territory.

Santa Ana, founded in 1633 in the Sierra del Tape was removed in 1638 to the bank of the Parana river and yet again to its current location, 45 km of Posadas. The ruins of the church, which are accessible through a monumental staircase, arising out of a forest. They are opposed to plunder after the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767. The Nuestra Señora de Loreto, founded in 1610, moved in 1631 to its current location 53 km of Posadas. The job included a print. The church and the founding fathers' house was built by Brother Bressanelli, as in San Ignacio Miní. The ruins of the Indian village of partially are cleared of vegetation. Santa Maria la Mayor, founded in 1626, has been moved to the current location in 1633. Not far from the ruins of the church, important remains of the place of residence of the fathers are still standing.

Sao Miguel, founded in 1632 on the site of Itaiaceco, was first transferred to Concepción, and then in 1687 to its current location on the banks of the Piratini. Not a single building of the village will be maintained; that everything visible are the foundations of the fathers' residence, the school and the walls of the cemetery, along with a few remnants of Indian habitations. On a web site that is regularly invaded by vegetation are the ruins of the church attributed to Father Gian Battista Primoli, a Jesuit architect of Milanese roots, known for its work in Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Concepción. This baroque church, completed in 1750, was destroyed by fire 10 years. It was restored in a somewhat during the year prior to the final expulsion of the Jesuits in 1768.

Source:whc/unesco