JESUIT MISSIONS
The Catholic missionaries commonly referred to as Jesuits left behind the importance of their mission in the numerous constructions that rise along the province of Misiones and some specific sites in Brazil and Paraguay. The Jesuits founded 30 towns during the 16th Century, creating the most extraordinary evangelizing deed of South America. This organizational accomplishment still astonishes the entire world today. The most important ruins are those at San Ignacio Miní that date back to the year 1695. At the peak of its existence, San Ignacio Miní had more than 3,300 inhabitants. Its proximity to the Paraná River allowed the people a narrow exchange with other missionary towns.
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Perhaps the most neglected of the Jesuit ruins are those at Santa Ana. Here you can see how the jungle began to devour the sites' founda- tions. The recently constructed "Cen- tros de Interpreta- ción" are available for those who wish to study the ruins more thoroughly. They are located near San Ignacio Miní and their purpose is to offer as much support and protection to the common visitors as to research workers. These centers are equipped with basic services and didactic material obtained through the developed archaeological works of the area.
Source: Diego Carnio - www.almundo.com
Translations and editing by: JoAnn Arbore Mainardi
