Missions jésuites de la Santísima Trinidad de Paraná et Jesús de Tavarangue

Brève description

Missions jésuites de la Santísima Trinidad de Paraná et Jesús de Tavarangue © Public Domain

Description longue

The Society of Jesus established itself in the region known as the Guayrá in 1588, by permission of Philip II. One of its objectives became the protection of the Indians against the abuses of the colonial encomienda system of tribute or labour, which reduced them to a condition of virtual slavery; at the same time they would be brought into the Christian Church and educated into a sedentary form of life. Following the granting of the frontier zone of Paraguay to the Jesuits in 1609 by the Spanish Crown, they moved into the lands of the Guaraní people in the Rio de la Plata basin, where they created reducciones (settlements), each with its mission. There were 30 in all, 8 in latter-day Paraguay, 15 in Argentina, and 7 in Brazil.

La Santísima Trinidad, the most ambitious of these missions and the capital of the Guayrá, was built in 1706, the work of the noted Jesuit architect Juan Bautista Primoli. It was constructed in stone with a fine dome and elaborated decoration.

The reducción of Jesús de Tavarangue was founded in 1685, but moved some years later to its present site, when the mission was built.

Santos Cosme y Damián, founded in 1632 on Brazilian territory, moved to its present site in 1740.

La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná has the best preserved urban structure: Plaza Mayor, main church (crypt), small church, college and cloister, cemeteries, kitchen gardens, belfry, native houses and workshops.

The ruined church of Jesús de Tavarangue retains much of its imposing appearance, but only one room of the college survives. There are significant remains of the urban structure, including the Plaza Mayor, native houses and cemeteries.

The church of Santos Cosme y Damián was never finished. However, it has continued to serve as a place of worship. Other remains also survive, including one of the wings of the college, the cemetery, and contemporary Indian houses.

All three are in essence archaeological sites, consisting of ruined building and occupation layers, and so their authenticity is not in question. The church of Santos Cosme y Damián, being in current use, has some more recent features, but restoration interventions have respected the ancient fabric and materials.

La Santísima Trinidad, the best preserved of the three, is of great symbolic importance, because its decoration reflects the spirit of its conception, with its fusion of Christian and native artistic elements. Santos Cosme y Damiàn is important because, in addition to its historical significance, it has retained its role as a centre of worship for the village and district in which it is located.

Description historique

La Compagnie de Jésus s'est installée dans la région connue sous le nom de Guayáa en 1588 par autorisation de Philippe II. L'un de ses objectifs a été la protection des Indiens contre les abus du système de "1' encomienda" par lequel ils étaient pratiquement réduits à l'esclavage et parallèlement convertis au christianisme et sédentarisés. Après qu'une zone reculée du Paraguay ait été attribuée par la Couronne espagnole aux Jésuites en 1609, la Compagnie de Jésus s'installa sur les terres du peuple Guarani dans le bassin du Rio de la Plata où ils créèrent des "reducciones" (villages) dont chacun possédait sa mission. Il y en eut 30 en tout 8 dans 1' ancien Paraguay, 15 en Argentine et 7 au Brésil.

La Santísima Trinidad, la plus grande et la capitale du Guayrá, a été construite en 1706. Elle est l'œuvre de l'architecte jésuite Juan Bautista Primoli. Elle a été réalisée en pierres et dispose d'une joli dôme et d'une décoration très soignée.

La reducción de Jésus de Tavarangue, fondée en 1685, fut déplacée quelques années plus tard à son emplacement actuel quand on construisit la mission.

La mission Santos Cosme y Damián, fondée en 1632 en territoire brésilien fut déplacée en 1740 sur les lieux qu'elle occupe encore aujourd'hui.