In the seventeenth century the Jesuit Missions of Iguazu Guarani, located at the present territories of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil were founded. Of these the archaeological wealth, sculpture, the layout of the cities, the story told in museums, cultural centers and universities remained.
The ruins of San Ignacio Mini reductions, constitute the tourist resort par excellence of the city and one of the leaders of the province. The degree of conservation of the set, perimeter walls, Temple, workshops, family housing and the square, which was possible to appreciate the urban layout of the monumental work that the Guarani led by the Jesuits brought forward.
Access to the ruins, is the interpretive center that has 9 rooms, which can be seen from the arrival of the first Spanish, the native habitat, the jungle, their worldview, symbols of evangelization, conquest The Spanish hall, the Jesuits, and finally the model room of the reductions.
The star of the province of Misiones are the Iguazu Falls, but from the cultural point of view include the Jesuit ruins. The original inhabitants of the area were the Guarani Indians who lived in the region until the arrival of the monks, who founded the famous missions. By the mid-eighteenth century, San Ignacio had 3000 inhabitants, cultural activities were multiple and its strategic location on the Parana river favored trade with other settlements in the area. But in the late eighteenth century Guarani and Jesuits were expelled and abandoned … missions.
Today you can visit the ruins -declaradas Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. To prepare you see the movie “The Mission” by Roland Joffré where the Jesuit experience in Iguazu is told with spectacular shots of the falls.
The San Ignacio Mini Ruins in Misiones have a Center and Recreation Jesuit-Guarani, which will tell the story of the Jesuit mission in 9 rooms. The visit includes the company of a specialized guide that explains how to organization, the idiosyncrasies of the people, their rituals and beliefs.
One of the highlights at sunset occurs when a sound and light show the history of the mission is revived. Procession of Corpus Christi is also represented in a musical with the participation of provincial university choir.
The town of San Ignacio, shaft called “Region of the Missions”, has a good infrastructure of services, hotels, night clubs, theme parks, campgrounds and resorts to enjoy the river and nature.
The area is full of cultural and ecotourism proposals missionary activities in the forest:
• One option is the Rock of Teyú Cuaré, in which photographic safaris and adventure activities are developed. The property covers 78 hectares, with sites of geological interest and attractive flora and fauna. There kayaking along the Parana River and horseback riding with cowboys.
• Two ways to enjoy the outdoors are the Ecological Park and El Puma THE PARK Provincial Canyon of depth.
• Among the must-see cultural visits is the house Horacio Quiroga, one of the best storytellers in South America. The house and its surroundings was the inspiration for many of his stories. Now a museum, preserved objects, books and documents. Open daily from 7-19.
• Another cultural tours is the Provincial Museum Miguel Nadasdy, which displays a sample of representative elements of San Ignacio and its area of influence. Situated Sarmiento 557, is open Monday through Saturday from 7-19 hours.
