"San Ignacio Miní" San Ignacio by andal13

San Ignacio Travel Guide: 45 reviews and 110 photos

The main gate of the church - San Ignacio

World Heritage ~ Patrimonio de la Humanidad

San Ignacio Miní is the name of one of the several Jesuit Missions settled in America (miní means "small" in Guarani; there was another mission called San Ignacio Guazú, which means "big"). At the 16th century, the Company of Jesus began to found missions all over the Spanish Empire (in China, India, United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina), in order to evangelize the natives; in Argentina there were 15 missions, and 11 of them were with Guarani people. The Guarani natives were peaceful and practiced agriculture; they were usually attacked by the Portuguese, and used as slaves.
The Jesuits established in this place in 1695, and in 1724 all the buildings were finished; the natives came into the mission voluntarily, but they had to respect the Jesuit rules. The Jesuits not only evangelized the Guarani people, but also teached them to read and write, organized the jobs, and in certain way, protected them.
The Company of Jesus was exterminated in 1773 (mainly for political reasons); since then, the missions were destroyed, so nowadays there are only ruins...
The imperialist imposition of a culture usually anihilates the other culture; this is an endless discussion, and I have no wish to get involved in an argument here; anyway, probably the Jesuits were more respectful and tolerant with the natives than other religious orders... and probably this condition precipitated the end of the Company.

San Ignacio Miní es el nombre de una de las numerosas Misiones Jesuíticas establecidas en América (miní significa "chico"; había otra misión llamada San Ignacio Guazú, que signifiva "grande"). En el siglo XVI, la Compañía de Jesús comenzó a fundar misiones por todo el Imperio Español (en China, India, Estados Unidos, México, Ecuador, Brasil, Paraguay, Uruguay y Argentina), con el objetivo de evangelizar a los nativos; en Argentina había 15 misiones, y 11 de ellas eran guaraníes. Los guaraníes eran pacíficos y practicaban la agricultura; habitualmente sufrían ataques de los portugueses, quienes los llevaban como esclavos.
Los jesuitas se establecieron en este lugar en 1695, y para 1724 todas las construcciones estaban terminadas; los nativos ingresaban a la misión voluntariamente, pero tenían que respetar las reglas de la orden. Los jesuitas no sólo evangelizaron a los guaraníes, sino que los alfabetizaron y los organizaron en sus trabajos, y en cierta forma, los protegieron.
La Compañía de Jesús fue extinguida en 1773 (principalmente por razones políticas); desde ese entonces, las misiones fueron destruidas, por lo que actualmente quedan sólo ruinas...
La imposición imperialista de una cultura habitualmente aniquila a la otra cultura; esta es una discusión interminable, y no es mi intención iniciar una polémica aquí; de todos modos, probablemente los jesuitas fueron más respetuosos y tolerantes con los nativos que otras órdenes religiosas... y probablemente esta condición fue lo que precipitó el fin de la Compañía.

Last visit to San Ignacio: Apr 2004
Intro Updated Jun 22, 2004
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Reviews (21)

Monogamy Things to Do (8)

The natives practiced the polygamy; the Jesuits, of course, preached (and imposed) the monogamy... Everywhere at the... more travel advice

Just for me! Things to Do (8)

The natives' houses were separated, depending on the marital status: for families, for single men and for widowed women;... more travel advice

The houses Things to Do (8)

The first constructions you find as you come into the ruins are the natives' houses... or what still remains of them.... more travel advice

The school Things to Do (8)

The Jesuits gave an important place to education, so the mission had a school for the natives, where they learnt to read... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (9)
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Local Customs (2)
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Travelogues (1)

Written May 16, 2004

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"Tales of love, madness and death"

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Comments (7)

Alvaro64 Sep 28, 2006 at 8:52 PM Report Abuse

I am in pre-production of a short film adapted from Horacio Quiroga's "El Almohadon de Plumas". If you want to contribute anything, from knowledge about its rights to money to be in the credits. Contact me at cain98@hotmail.com
VeronicaG Nov 27, 2005 at 7:04 PM Report Abuse

The Guarani must have been interesting people--the ruins certainly were.
pepples46 Feb 2, 2005 at 12:19 PM Report Abuse

you're more diplomatic then I, my Friend. and you made me giggle,now I know why I am so mad at times, a fern grew on my head...just makes me whole LOL
mtncorg Sep 1, 2004 at 11:08 AM Report Abuse

a grand tour of the Mission and of Quiroga, the motorcycle enthusiasts whose way with the ladies is in question.
manuelEB Jun 27, 2004 at 7:00 PM Report Abuse

Que diferencia. Otros ponen a los pobres en "Warnings Or Dangers".. un beso degollado. Ps; Pensandolo bien, no les falta razon. Somos peligrosos porque somos muchos mas. Ps: Las sombras en la foto del caballito de mar son peligrosas... (-;
Martin_S. Jun 27, 2004 at 4:03 AM Report Abuse

Okay, you've got me I need to go look up hippocampus in my English dictionary...........
matcrazy1 May 20, 2004 at 5:15 AM Report Abuse

OK, I will come. Greetings and hugs and have a great day and incoming (slowly) weekend !