Explore the Jesuit Missions

Visit the Unesco-listed ruins the once-great Jesuit Reductions of southern Paraguay, established by the Jesuits in the 17^th century to nurture the earthly and spiritual lives of the local indigenous Guarani people.  The skills of the Jesuits and their Guarani students in architecture and art, with and intricate carvings and sculptures, can readily be appreciated in the plazas, doorways, friezes and porticos of these churches and communities, although they now lie in ruins.  

The Reductions of Trinidad - nestled in undulating, palm-studded countryside alive with the screeches of parakeets - and hilltop Jesus de Tavarangue are the most impressive, Enthusiasts may visit other ruined Missions and museums in the two departments of Missiones and  Itapuá in southern Paraguay. You might continue to the better known San Ignacio Miní in Argentina but the site there receive many more visitors – at Trinidad and Jesus you may have the ruins to yourself.