San Ignacio, Paraguay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids San Ignacio
City & district
San Ignacio Guazú city hall, Southern Paraguay
Flag Seal
Location in the Misiones Department
San Ignacio, Paraguay Location in Paraguay
Country	Paraguay
Department	Misiones
Founded	December 29, 1609; Fathers Marcial de Lorenzana and Francisco de San Martín, helped by the Chief Arapysandú
Area
• Total	2,020 km2 (780 sq mi)
Elevation	124 m (407 ft)
Population  (Est. 2021)
• Total	35,497
• Density	17.57/km2 (45.51/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Ignaciano/a
Time zone	-4 Gmt
Postal code	4750
Area code(s)	+595 (782)
Website	www.sanignacioguazu.gov.py

San Ignacio, also known as San Ignacio Guazú, is a city and district in the Misiones Department of Paraguay. It is about 225 kilometers (140 miles) away from Asunción, the capital city.

San Ignacio is the most populated and fastest-growing city in the Misiones Department. In 2021, it had about 35,497 residents. People often call San Ignacio the "Corazón del Sur," which means "Heart of the South." This is because it is located in the middle of three southern departments: Ñeembucú, Misiones, and Itapúa.

History of San Ignacio Guazú

The San Ignacio Cathedral, Misiones, Paraguay

San Ignacio was founded on December 29, 1609. Two Jesuit priests, Marcial de Lorenzana and Francisco de San Martín, started the settlement. They were helped by a native chief named Arapysandú. He led them to his lands, where they built an altar and held the very first church service.

The Jesuit Mission was officially set up in 1610. It was named "San Ignacio Guazú" to avoid confusion with another mission called "San Ignacio Miní" in Argentina. In February of that same year, Father Roque González de Santa Cruz helped organize the mission. It became the main center for all Jesuit missions in Paraguay. Many other towns, like Santa Rosa, Santiago, Santa María, San Cosme y Damián, and even Encarnación, were founded by Jesuits who came from San Ignacio.

The city was not always in its current spot. It first started where Santa Rita is today, then moved to Santiago, and finally to its present location. The first people to live in San Ignacio were native inhabitants. They learned many skills and arts from European teachers.

Economy and Trade

San Ignacio is an important place for business, farming, and raising cattle. It also has a lot of history and culture. Its location is very good, right in the center of the department. Many roads connect to it, making it a busy place. Because of this, San Ignacio has the most active economy and population in the Misiones Department.

Tourism and Culture

San Ignacio is known as the "Capital of the Hispanic-Guaraní Baroque." This is because it has many beautiful art pieces from that time. Some of these artworks are found in the San Ignacio church.

Diocesan Museum of Jesuit Art

The Diocesan Museum of Jesuit Art shows art from the Spanish colonial period. It has many valuable statues of saints and other objects. You can also see old documents and maps from the first Jesuit mission in Paraguay. Jesuit priests manage this museum. It has four main rooms:

• The Creation: This room shows the story of God's word, the fight between good and evil, and a child guided by an angel.
• The Redemption: Here you can see statues that tell the story of Jesus's suffering, death, and return to life.
• History of Christ in the Church: This room displays images of different saints.
• Jesuit Company: This section recreates the history of the Jesuit group that founded the missions.

Other Historical Places

• Museum of the Chaco Heroes ("Museo Semblanza de Héroes"): This museum has items from the Chaco War and the Paraguayan War.
• The House of Culture: This old house from the colonial period shows the architecture of that time. One of these houses is now a center for documents about the government of Alfredo Stroessner. It is located across from the church.

Local Traditions and Festivals

Every January, San Ignacio celebrates the Missioner Tradition festival. This event showcases the country's folk traditions, horse-riding skills, and local food. A very popular local dish is "batiburrillo."

In Tañarandy, a community within the city, people often paint the fronts of their houses. These paintings show the kind of work the people living there do. The name Tañarandy means "land of the demons" or "land of the heretics." This was where native people who did not want to be controlled by the Jesuits settled.

A special tradition happens on Good Friday. As the sun sets, a large procession marches with candles. This is a very old Catholic ritual. People sing and gather ("jetopa" in Guaraní) at the Stations of the Cross. Tourists from all over Paraguay and other countries come to see "the living pictures." Local actors dress up and act out famous paintings in a special setting. The Paraguayan artist Koki Ruíz helped start this activity, and the whole community of San Ignacio supports it.

On May 15, there is a festival to honor San Isidro Labrador in the neighborhood named after him. On July 31, San Ignacio celebrates its own festival.

Education in San Ignacio

San Ignacio has several universities and high schools. Young people can study many different subjects here.

Universities and Higher Education

The Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Catholic University of Our Lady of the Ascension) has a campus in San Ignacio. It offers studies in:

• Education
• Law and Social Sciences
• Business Administration
• Accounting
• Computer Engineering

There is also a national university, the Universidad Nacional de Pilar. Many private universities are also available, such as UniNorte, UTCD, UPAP, Universidad Autónoma del Sur, Universidad Maria Auxiliadora, and Universidad del Pacífico.

High Schools in San Ignacio

Media and Communications

San Ignacio has several television and radio stations that keep its residents informed and entertained.

Television Channels

• Telefuturo: Channel 5
• SNT: Channel 10
• Canal 13 (from San Patricio): Channel 13
• Red Guaraní: Channel 40

FM Radio Stations

• 95.3 FM: Activa
• 93.3 FM: Del Sol
• 96.3 FM: Libertad
• 88.1 FM: Monseñor Pastor Bogarín
• 89.7 FM: San Ignacio
• 93.7 FM: UNASUR
• 96.3 FM: Libertad

AM Radio Stations

• 1040 AM: Arapysandú

Notable People from San Ignacio

Many talented people have come from San Ignacio, including:

• Humberto Bas (born 1965), a writer
• Feliciano Centurión (1962-1996), a painter
• Koki Ruiz (born 1957), an artist
• Carlos Guirland (born 1961), a football player
• Darío Verón (born 1979), a football player
• José Pedrozo (1982-2021), a football player

Sister City

San Ignacio Guazú has a special connection with another city:

• San Ignacio, Argentina

Images for kids

• 

  The church of San Ignacio

• 

  Good Friday procession in Tañarandy, Paraguay

• 

  Route 1 approaching San Ignacio, Paraguay

See also

In Spanish: San Ignacio Guazú (Paraguay) para niños