The Ruins of San Ignacio are an impressive archaeological site located in the Argentine province of Misiones that are testimony to the work of the Jesuits in South America. Together with the ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes in Brazil, they were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.
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A little about the history
The Jesuits arrived in this area escaping the attacks and invasions of bandeirantes that attacked them to trap indigenous people and sell them as slaves. Antonio Ruiz de Montoya arrived together with 12,000 aborigines to the vicinity of the Yabebirí stream, where he refounded Loreto and San Ignacio (or San Ignacio Miní to differentiate it from the previous San Ignacio.
It is worth clarifying that the first Guaraní Jesuit mission was founded in 1609, in the current territory of what is currently Paraguay, under the name of San Ignacio Guazú. The planning of the mission is common in most of those built by the Jesuits: there is always a central plaza and around it the church, the House of the Fathers, the cemetery, the homes and the town hall. The archaeological ruins of these urban complexes represent a fusion of cultures in which the evangelization process allowed the original population to preserve elements of their traditional culture.
Finally, did you know that sequences from the 1986 film The Mission, starring Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons, were filmed in this important historical and archaeological site?
Main Church
As you can imagine, the main building is the Church that was built by the Jesuits in the 18th century.
Although it is in ruins, you can still see its impressive stone walls and some architectural details.
In the construction of San Ignacio was used a local red sandstone in large pieces.
Main Square
Near the church, there is a large free space that occupied a wide, open square that used to be the center of community life. Here you can walk and enjoy the historical atmosphere.
Homes and other structures
At the site, you will see remains of the homes and other buildings that used to be part of the Jesuit reduction. You can explore them and get a sense of what life was like back then.
Cementery
There is a cemetery located next to the church where the tombs and tombstones of the former settlers of San Ignacio Miní are found. It is a quiet place with an air of solemnity.
The Interpretation Center
In nine rooms, it reproduces what the habitat of the aboriginal group of the Guaraní was like until the arrival of the Jesuits, and what the arrival of the conquerors was like and the cultural symbiosis that resulted from coexistence. The tour ends with a representation on a model of what the San Ignacio Miní mission was, at the climax of its history.
Sound and light show
At night, a light show, holographic images and sound is performed that recreates the history and greatness of the Jesuit reductions. It is a unique experience that complements the visit during the day.
Other Jesuit sites in Misiones
Loreto Ruins
It was initially founded in 1610, in the territory of Guayrá, in Brazil. Like Saint Ignatius, he had to move several times, until they finally settled in Guaraní territory after descending, not without dangers and difficulties, the waters of the Paraná River in more than 700 rafts, entrusted by the indigenous people under the command of Father Antonio Ruiz de Montoya.
One remarcable fact about Loreto is that there the Jesuits created the first printing press in all of South America around 1700. It was made locally by fathers Juan Bautista Neuman and José Serrano, who managed to print with mobile characters. The press and support were made with wood from the region and the characters cast in lead and tin. It was a traveling printing press, which was installed in Loreto, Santa María La Mayor or San Javier, as the printing jobs required. The first published work was the “Roman Martyrology” in 1700, followed by several works of a religious nature, medicine, etc.
Ruins of Santa María Mayor
The Mission of Santa María la Mayor is located in the municipality of Santa María, also in the province of Misiones. The Jesuit reduction of Santa María la Mayor was founded in 1626, housing 993 inhabitants around 1744.
Ruins of Santa Ana
The Jesuit reduction was founded in 1633. Like the other, it was abandoned when the Jesuits were expelled from all the dominions of the crown of Spain, including those of Overseas, in 1767. The ruins are covered with vegetation.
Teyú Cuaré Provincial Park
It is situated 8 km from the San Ignacio city center. This park is famous for its red sandstone rock formations, which rise above the green of the jungle and offer panoramic views of the Paraná River.
One of the highlights is the Peñón Teyú Cuaré, a rock formation that resembles a boat sailing down the river. There are several well-marked trails in the park that allow you to explore the lush jungle and get up close to the rock formations. You can enjoy short or longer hikes, depending on your skill level and time available. The park is an excellent place for bird watching, as it is home to a wide variety of native species.
You can see toucans, hummingbirds, macaws and many other colorful birds in their natural habitat. In addition to birds, the park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. You can find unique plant species and animals like monkeys, coatis, butterflies and more. In the park, you can also explore a grotto that formed naturally in the rock formations. It is a cool and calm place where you can appreciate the unique geology of the region
The Jesuits in America
The missions that the Jesuits established over the years among the Guaraní, Guaicurú and other indigenous peoples came to be located not only in Brazil, but also in Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. The purpose was to evangelize in the Catholic faith the native peoples who inhabited the region and established themselves as politically and economically organized units. In Brazil there are the ruins of San Miguel.
The archaeological ruins of these urban complexes represent a fusion of cultures in which the Christianization process allowed the indigenous population to preserve elements of their traditional culture. We hope you enjoy your visit to the Jesuit ruins of San Ignacio!
