Nuestra Señora de Loreto

This reduction is located in Loreto, 2 km away from national route No. 12 and 50 km. away from the city of Posadas. It was founded by FathersJosé Cataldino and Simón Maceta in 1632, but moved to its final location in 1686. It was one of the most important Jesuitical towns on account of its large production of linen cloth and yerba mate, and because it boasted the first printing press that exuted in those times that was used to print a large number of books, many were written in Guaraní language. After the expulsion of the Jesuits, the reduction was raided and set on fire on several occasions and this led to the migration of its inhabitants.

The Jesuits arrived in America in the 16th century and set out to preach the gospel to the natives. They founded towns based on an organization that still amazes the world. The Jesuitical Retductions introduced the Guaraní Indian to the practice of Christianity in a vast territory comprising the south of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Argentine litoral. The use of duly planned Indian labor enabled the creation of a firm economic base that gave rise to many conflicts over the possession of the native workers. This experience came to an end with the expulsion of the Jesuits from the country in 1768. The thirty towns they had created became disconnected with the organization of the different nation-states. Most of these towns were destroyed, but in our country one can still appreciate their magnificence in the ruins of the Reductions of San Ignacio, Loreto, Santa María and Santa Ana in the Province of Misiones and Yapeyú, Santo Tomé and San Carlos in the province of Corrientes. They were declared part of the World´s Historical Heritage by the UNESCO. In every case there are museums that harbor many remnants of these reductions that were gathered during the excavation work carried out in the area.