Mission Santos Apóstoles San Pedro y San Pablo, Jesuit mission and archaeological site in Apóstoles, Argentina
Mission Santos Apóstoles San Pedro y San Pablo is a Jesuit mission site and archaeological landmark in the city of Apóstoles, in the province of Misiones, Argentina. A few stones from the original structures are still visible along Avenida 9 de Julio, near the General Manuel Belgrano stadium.
The mission was founded in 1632 by Pedro Alfaro as part of the network of Jesuit reductions in South America. After a restoration in 1652, it was destroyed in 1817, and the modern city of Apóstoles gradually grew over the old site.
The 1926 church built on the site of the former mission uses stones from Jesuit ruins in its foundations. Every year on June 29, the local community gathers here to celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul with processions and open-air events.
The remaining stones of the old mission sit along Avenida 9 de Julio and are easy to reach on foot since they are part of the everyday urban layout of Apóstoles. A daytime visit works best, as the site sits in an open area of the city with good natural light.
The 1926 church was built by Martín Sviderski using itácurú stones taken directly from the Jesuit ruins for its foundations, about 3 feet (1 meter) deep. The city grew so fully over the original mission that its historic ground now lies beneath ordinary streets and buildings.
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