San Ignacio Ruins

Located only 136 miles from Puerto Iguazú, the Ruins of San Ignacio Mini constitute the best preserved example of Jesuitical settlements in this region. Built in 1632 in a style known as "Guaraní Baroque", a short visit to the Ruins of San Ignacio represents a wonderful journey into the past, where you can learn about the culture and everyday life of indigenous tribes under Spanish domain in colonial times.

The Ruins were declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 owing to its cultural and historical importance, and are a very representative example of the many Jesuitical settlements that can be found in the argentine territory. Although the main objective of such settlements was undoubtedly the conversion of Guaraní Indians to Catholicism, they also functioned as rather complex economical cells where accommodation, education, and work was provided to indigenous people but also to European settlers.

As it can be seen in other Jesuitical settlements within Argentina, the main buildings were organized around a "Plaza" and resembled famous European constructions. The church was the most important building in the settlement and was located at the northern extreme of the Plaza, surrounded by the priests' house, the school and the factory or "work-room". Thanks to the restoration works performed in 1940, it is still possible to appreciate today the magnificent decoration details -that reflect the Guaraní style- in most of the constructions and objects exhibited in the local museum.