UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Paraguay
Paraguay has 2 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1 cultural and 1 natural), the first inscribed in 1993 (Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangüé). The map below plots every one of them alongside the rest of the List, and each site is written up in full further down the page.
- World Heritage Sites
- 2
- Cultural
- 1
- Natural and Mixed
- 1
- First Inscribed
- 1993
Map of World Heritage Sites in Paraguay
CulturalNaturalMixedIn DangerLarge dots are in Paraguay. Click a dot to read about the site.
Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangüé
Paraguay · 27.0560° S, 55.7530° W · 35 km from Encarnación
The Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue (Spanish: Misiones Jesuíticas de La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná y Jesús de Tavarangue) are located in the Itapúa Department, Paraguay, and are religious missions that are still preserved and that were founded by the Jesuit missioners during the colonization of South America in the 17th century. These religious missions were created in 1609 and developed for 150 years. Both Jesuit missions were declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1993.
The Jesuit missions of Paraguay are considered some of the most impressive creations of the religious work of the Jesuits and are testimony of the historical richness of the country.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Why Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangüé Is Listed
- (iv)
- An outstanding example of a type of building or landscape.
More about Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangüé
UNESCO's Description
In addition to their artistic interest, these missions are a reminder of the Jesuits' Christianization of the Río de la Plata basin in the 17th and 18th centuries, with the accompanying social and economic initiatives.
From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
History
Aleixo Garcia encountered Paraguay in 1524. Its development in the political, economical and social matter was a slow process, scarred by armed conflicts between Spanish conquerors and natives, who fought to preserve their territory.
By 1590 the Spanish had founded 10 cities and 40 colonies in South America. The natives were forced to be at their service (Encomienda system).
The Spanish King tried to improve their quality of life by making some decrees for their protection but it was difficult to have a real system of control to make sure they were obeyed. The system of "Encomienda" gave rise to many native insurrections.
It was not until the Missions were established that there was a real improvement in the living conditions of the natives.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Key Facts
| Area | 0.3 km² |
|---|
Facts from Wikidata Q15727363 (CC0).
Shared With Neighbouring Countries
These sites cross the border. Each is written up on the page of the country UNESCO lists first.
World Heritage in Paraguay: Quick Answers
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Paraguay?
- Paraguay has 2 World Heritage Sites: 1 cultural and 1 natural. 1 of them is shared with a neighbouring country.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Paraguay?
- Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangüé, inscribed in 1993. The most recent is Pantanal, inscribed in 2000.
- What are the natural World Heritage Sites in Paraguay?
- Pantanal.
- Are any World Heritage Sites in Paraguay in danger?
- None of the World Heritage Sites in Paraguay is on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.