Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis

　　        In the heart of the rainforest, there are five remarkable remnants of Jesuit missions: the ruins of São Miguel das Missões in Brazil; and the ruins of San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto, and Santa María la Mayor in Argentina. Built in the 17th and 18th centuries in the territory of the Guaranis, these unique layouts and varying states of preservation highlight their individual characteristics.

　　        The Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis are famous Catholic heritage sites. They are located in São Miguel das Missões in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul and in the province of Misiones in Argentina. In 1632, Jesuit missionaries Cristóbal de Mendoza and Pablo de Blavetis established a settlement on the right bank of the Iguazu River at the foot of Mount San Pedro. However, they were soon attacked by bandeirantes from São Paulo, forcing the community to relocate further away. Some settled along the Piratini River. The faithful built a church in São Miguel. Later, the Italian Milanese architect and Jesuit priest Gian Battista rebuilt the church on the original site, giving it the distinct features of 17th-century Italian Baroque style. Subsequently, Battista, along with his colleague Andrea Bianchi and other priests, worked on constructing churches in Buenos Aires, Argentina, using locally sourced stone to build magnificent structures—some of which remain remarkably well-preserved to this day.

　　     Brasília, Brazil