Jesuit Mission of Guaranis and Santasima, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Jesuit Mission Guaranis and Santasima, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay

Weather: Thunderstorms, 71/90F.

Route: From Rosario 940 km NNE on RN127 and RN14.

Significance: UNESCO actually splits the Jesuit Missions of Guaranis and Santasima - as these were two distinct indigenous peoples. However, how the Jesuits interacted with the native people were similar and the outcomes of these settlements were similar.  Today all that remains are impressive ruins - but at the time the settlements included 10's of thousands of people. 

The Jesuits first came to this area in the late 16th century. Their relationship with the native peoples was relatively cooperative compared to many other places in the Americas. The other Spanish in the region used the Indigenous people as slaves. The Jesuits formed a communal society - where nobody owned property - similar in some ways to socialism.  They protected the Native people from slave hunters.  In the 18th century Jesuits became unpopular all over Europe and were removed from the area.  The missions were depopulated rapidly, which is why there are only ruins left today.

Videos:

 

Images:

Mission San Ignacio Mini (from whc.unesco.org)

Mission Trinidad de Parana (from whc.unesco.org)