Early in the morning, we will pick you
up from your hotels in Puerto Iguazu and head towards San Ignacio,
some 230 km away.
Among the thick relief of the
missionary jungle, stands the ruins of San Ignacio, the remains of a
civilization, designed by Jesuits and Guarani and built by hands,
that stood out for its efficiency almost 400 years ago.
The facade
of the temple was made entirely with pink sandstone in 1610 and
its American Baroque design was rebuilt by a group of scientists in
the last century. The Ruins had been buried under the jungle for
nearly two centuries.
Thousands of tourists visit it every
year. Today, the right wall of the temple looks flawless, because
during the summer a group of specialists was "grooming"
it.
This was made possible by the World Monuments
Foundation, who donated $ 50,000. It's step by step, processed to
preserve all the walls of this monument, which due to the
tropical climate of the region tend to be covered with small
microorganisms that slowly break them down.
Then, after discovering the culture and
heritage of the Ruins, we will head to the Wanda Mines, founded by
Polish settlers in 1936.
Wanda was the name of a Polish princess
who liked gems. Hence the name of the town that today is lying on the
banks of the Paraná River, where the entrance sign is located and
different craftsmen offer some of the stones.
Within the characteristics of this mine
appears its particularity of being outdoors or open air. Visitors can
walk, browse their caves and even observe the exact moment when
operators perform some of the explosions to continue drilling the
basalt.
Then, after discovering the treasures
the Missionary can hide, you will be taken back to your hotels by the
end of the day in Puerto Iguazu.
Ask
for english speaking guides