Paraguay – Jesuit Missions in Jesús and Trinidad
Two Historic Guaraní "Reducciones" are Unesco World Heritage Sites
Nov 21, 2008
The Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, is a Roman Catholic order of religious men, founded by Ignatius de Loyola and approved by the Pope in 1540. The order grew rapidly and twenty years later more than 1,000 Jesuits were already working in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In the latter, thirty Jesuit missions were founded along the Paraná River of the former Province of Paraguay [currently northeast Argentina, south Brazil, west Uruguay and south Paraguay], where Jesuits converted and educated Guaraní Indians.
The Jesuit Missions and Their Expulsion from South America
The Jesuits created missions, or "reducciones", where they founded schools and hospitals for the Guaraní Indians, and stimulated all forms of artistic talent. The art historian Gauvin Alexander Bailey researched Jesuit Mission Art. In his article "On the Trail of Jesuit Mission Art" he comments on the remarkable achievements in the field of carving by the Guaraní Indians, especially given the fact that the Indians had no tradition of carving prior to the arrival of the Jesuits.
In time, however, the missions became too successful and too independent, thus forming a threat to the Spanish colonizers. In 1767 the Spanish Crown expelled the Jesuits from their territories and in 1773 the Pope abolished the order. The Jesuit Utopias were raided, the Guaraní Indians were captured or managed to flee into the forests. What is left today are ruins – but well worth a visit.
Jesuit Mission in Jesús
La Reducción "Jesuítica de Jesús de Tavarangüe" was set up in 1685, featuring one of the largest churches of all Jesuit missions whose ruin is all that is left of this mission. Walk up the stairs to have a view from above: amidst the flat green landscape, the red brick walls of the ruin stand out and emanate a feeling of the grand scale the church.
Jesuit Mission in Trinidad
La Reducción "La Santísima Trinidad del Paraná" was founded in 1706 and was one of the most important missions of the Jesuits in the region. It is also by far the best preserved mission in Paraguay. Late afternoon or early morning are the best times to visit, when the soft light gives the ruins an air of mystery and the atmosphere and the scents of the past can be imagined. In the former square stand the remains of the church, with carved walls and several sculptures in niches. The precincts of the church include the arched walls of workshops and houses, as well as the remains of the cemetery and school.
Practical Information on the Jesuit Missions in Paraguay
- Both Trinidad [28 kms] and Jesús [40 kms] are located north of Encarnación, along Ruta 6 in east Paraguay, and can be visited by bus.
- Entrance fee: PYG 5000 [US $1].
- Opening hours: 7am-7pm summer / 7am-5.30pm winter.
- There are five other former Jesuit Missions in Paraguay, all located along Ruta 1: San Cosme - San Damián, Santiago, Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa María de Fe and San Ignacio Guazú.
Jesuit Heritage and Franciscan Churches in Paraguay and Argentina
- Other ruins of Jesuit missions can be found in Argentina, just across the border.
- More history about the Jesuits can be found around the Argentinean city of Córdoba, where they founded prosperous estancias [ranches].
- Well worth visiting is the heritage of the Franciscan Order: churches with exquisitely carved altars around Asunción.
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