Santa María la Mayor, Jesuit ruins in Misiones Province, Argentina.
The Santa María la Mayor complex includes stone foundations, adobe walls, and water channels spread across a hilltop near the Uruguay River.
Founded in 1626 by Jesuits Diego Boroa and Claudio Ruyer, the mission operated until 1767 when Spanish authorities expelled the religious order from their colonies.
Between 1722 and 1724, the mission operated a printing press that produced the first books in Argentine territory, including texts in the Guarani language.
The archaeological site stands 127 kilometers from Posadas, accessible via Provincial Route 2, with guided tours available throughout the protected natural reserve.
The mission's architectural layout features a smaller church compared to other Jesuit reductions, with distinctive wooden beam ceilings and turned columns.
Website: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/275
GPS coordinates: -27.88971,-55.34470
Latest update: March 7, 2025 02:06
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