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JESUIT MISSIONS - courtesy of InterTours, Paraguay:

"The Jesuit World" is the route that allows us getting to know the history of Jesuits in this region, the foundation of the Jesuitical Province of Paraguay, the attempt to evangelize the natives by these brave priests, and their struggle to protect them from slavery. The visits to the remaining archeological sites take us to relive the heroic acts of these players, be it from the native's point of view, perhaps his only option for survival to the frantic colonization, or from the point of view of the Jesuit, a cultured and intelligent man giving—very often—his life for a cause.

This route may be taken by those groups or individuals wishing to delve deeper into this history, like students, religious people, etc., or combined with another interest like adventure itineraries, ecotourism, ranches, etc.

In Paraguay

San Ignacio Guazú
Called Guazú (big) to distinguish it from the newer San Ignacio Miní (now in Argentina), this reduction was founded in 1609-1610 by invitation of the famous chief Arapyzandú and moved definitively to its current location in 1677. This locality is on the route between Asunción and Encarnación – Paraguay. At the city's main square, there is a statue of lay brother Beato Roque González, indicating the significance of this priest in the development of San Ignacio Guazú. Unfortunately, nothing was left of the main church completed in 1694. However, in the old and still preserved cloister, there is an excellent museum that contains statues that decorated the several reductions of present Paraguay and remains of the old church; they even kept the original colors. At the portal to this building, there is an inscription with the name of the 26 Jesuits that died as martyrs in the missions of Paraguay, being the first three the "beatified" ones of Paraguay.

At the end of the visit, at the last portal, one can observe the earth component of the walls, compacted soil that challenges the centuries; you can also see one of the tree trunks that were placed whole inside the walls, as if they were an iron beam, used nowadays in modern constructions. In addition, one can notice the thickness of the walls, optimum thermal insulators, maintaining the ideal temperature in winter and summer.

Santa María de Fe
It was founded in 1647 by the French priest Manuel Berthod, who was given this name in honor of the famous "Notre Dame of Foy."

Almost nothing remains of the old mission, as its church was destroyed by a fire in 1889. Many of the images and statues survived the fire and may be appreciated at the current church. The visit is worthwhile because of the nice museum that, as compared to that of San Ignacio Guazú, contains several chambers, each one of them dedicated to one subject. Statues and images of Santa Maria, San Ignacio, San Francisco Javier, San Pedro and others.

Santa Rosa
Approximately 150 km away from Encarnación on the route to Asunción, it was founded in 1698 with families from Santa Maria de Fe. In 1883, the original church was destroyed by a fire. On top of the old church, they built the new one, which incorporated some pilasters of the old church into its façade.

The most interesting thing are the intact remnants of the original bell tower and the chapel Nuestra Señora de Loreto. In this chapel, we see the frescos painted on its walls and a group of sculptures representing the Annunciation, the true jewel of the baroque style.

Santiago
Easy access through a paved road. Founded in 1651, it was moved in 1669 to its current location. Almost nothing is left of the old mission, only the most interesting museum that was built there. Almost a replica of the museum at San Ignacio Guazú, it has set of entirely original statues. In the museum, a large window opens to a splendid view of the group of ruins of the old mission, which gives us the feeling of traveling to that time.

San Cosme y Damián
In 1632, Father Adriano Fornoso founded this mission on Brazilian land. Changing its location several times, it was established for the last time in 1740 in its present location. In spite of being one of the least interesting ones from the architectural point of view, this mission was the main center of astronomic studies in South America, having been organized by father Buenaventura Suárez, who maintained contact with the most important astronomers in Europe, with his work being recognized by them.

Helped by the natives, Father Suárez built telescopes, dials, and a sundial that, although rudimentary, provided accurate data. The sundial can be checked and admired until today. The old mission church had one of its parts destroyed by a fire, and the other part was reconstructed into a new church. There are several statues inside this church—including one of San Cosme y Damián—that are worth seeing.

Trinidad
Located about 25 km away from Encarnación, on the route to Ciudad del Este – Paraguay, is one of the most interesting and suggestive ruins of all.

Trinidad was founded by natives that came from the mission of San Carlos in what is now Argentina. Its main architects were fathers Juan Bautista Prímoli of Milan and the Catalan Jose Grimau. Uncompleted, this mission had one of the larges and prettiest churches of all missions, according to descriptions by travelers of that period.

After crossing the nave of the old church, we encounter the impressive view of the frieze high on the altar wall, entirely decorated on the very stone, with a sequence of angels in baroque postures and their instruments. The two doors giving access to the sacristies are worth mentioning: the columns with disproportionate capitals and a triple row of leaves supporting the frieze with two lateral pillars and a sculptural motif in the center.

During the excavations in the church, they found interesting statues (with their original color) and bones of some missionaries buried there. On the west side are the ruins of the tower and a long chapel. The tower, with a square base, reminds us of a fort tower and it is not known whether it was a belfry, an observation tower, or both at the same time. The chapel was probably used while the main church was being built. One of the sacristies also holds a small museum with local items (in original colors) and a scale model of the mission. A must see!

Declared Patrimony of Humanity in 1993 by UNESCO.

Jesús de Tavarangue
Almost opposite Trinidad, on the other side of the main road, is the reduction that can be accessed through a dirt road (15 km), sometimes impossible to use, depending on the weather.

This church was not completed, because of the expulsion of the Jesuits. Its architectural conception was very different from the others.

In Moorish style, unique among all of the reductions, the three doors to enter the temple are exceptionally beautiful, constructed in trefoil arches. The ceiling was probably not made of wood or stone like the others, but in mixed style with supporting walls and large central pilasters. Unfortunately not even the ceiling was finished.

Declared Patrimony of Humanity in 1993 by UNESCO.

Jesuit Ruis in Misiones, Argentina

San Ignacio Miní
Located about 50 km away from the city of Posadas, on the road to Puerto Iguazu/ Foz do Iguassu, San Ignacio Mini was one of the most prosperous Jesuit missions; it is in part restored by the Argentinean government.

San Ignacio Mini was founded in 1610 in the region of Guairá, now State of Paraná – Brazil (Saltos del Guairá). Fathers Jose Cataldino and Simón Masseta built this mission together with that of Loreto in the vicinity of the Paranapanema River. In 1631, in the face of the attack by the bandeirantes, father Antonio Ruiz of Montoya began an exodus to save the survivors. With close to 12,000 natives, he traveled down the Paraná River. Following a difficult trip, about 4,000 surviving natives managed to make it to the shores of the Yabebiri River, a tributary of the Paraná, and present Province of Misiones – Argentina.

Due to the unsuitable conditions of the place, they looked for a third location where they established themselves (1695-6), and are now the ruins of San Ignacio Mini. In 1816, with the Jesuits already expelled, General Jose de Artigas organized his army and designated Andres Guacurarí, a native known as Andresito, as head of one his divisions.

Since five reductions had been occupied by the Paraguayan armies of Dr. Francia, Andresito, with his Guaraní troops, managed to recover them. So Dr. Francia re-launched the attack and decided the total destruction of the missions. The church, centered at the axis of the large square, typical of all missions, was of imposing dimensions. The structure that supported the ceiling was made of long and thick trunks of hard wood. The enclosure was divided into three naves. The sidewalls were about 2 meters wide at the lower section and were reduced to 1 meter at the upper section. All the decoration was in polychromed wood, painted in vivid colors and a profusion of gold tones. There were trenches around the whole mission in the form of holes that protected it in case of attacks.

At the end of the visit we find a museum of considerable interest with items found during the excavations.

Loreto & Santa Ana
Both of them located near San Ignacio Mini, can be accessed by means of dirt roads (3 km). They are in a state of excavation. Due to the action of climate and time, there is little left of these reductions.

Father Ruiz of Montoya was buried in Loreto. Famous for the history of the missions, his remains may have been brought from Lima by his beloved natives and deposited in the enclosure of the church at this reduction; however, they were never found.

Santa María La Mayor
As well as Loreto and Santa Ana are severely damaged by the action of the wars, looting and the climate. Almost nothing left to be seen. It is located almost in the border of the Uruguay river, 26 km from Port Javier, 16 km of them are dirt road.