Argentina: San Ignacio Mini Mission Ruins
San Ignacio is one of seven Jesuit mission ruins on the UNESCO World Heritage list (three more, less spectacular, are in Argentina, 2 in Brazil, and 1 in Paraguay). The mission was originally built in 1610 and moved location a couple of times. At its height in the early 18th century, the mission had over 3000 inhabitants, but it all ended in the 1817, when Jesuits were outlawed and kicked out of most of South America. The San Ignacio mission is one of the best preserved, with elaborately carved walls and entrances – a style known as “Guarani baroque”. The now ruined complex included a church, a cemetery, a monastery – all surrounded by thick red brick walls. Looks absolutely spectacular in the jungle setting!
