The Casas de Indios
White rows around the square.
Cmasi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Josep M. Gracia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Santa María de Fe is a quiet town in Misiones Department in southern Paraguay, about 15 km from San Ignacio. It began as a Jesuit mission and still keeps the old Guaraní houses around its square, along with a museum holding a fine collection of Baroque wood carving, and monkeys living in the trees of its plaza. It was founded in 1647 as Nuestra Señora del Taré by Father Emmanuel Berthot, then moved to the present site because of bandeirante raids. The original church burned in 1889, but many statues were saved. The French scientist Aimé Bonpland lived in the town for a time, held there on the orders of Dr Francia, teaching local people and learning from them about plants' healing properties. The wide square is ringed by huge trees and rows of white houses with tile roofs and low arcades, the «Casas de Indios» of the mission era. One of them holds a museum with dozens of painted Baroque carvings, including a Nativity group. The present church is a white building with a clear tower. Black howler monkeys live in the square, looked after by the community. It is 123 km in a straight line from Encarnación and 253 km from Asunción, by a turn-off from Route PY01. Local workshops sell embroidery and tapestries, among visitors' favourite purchases. Do not feed or touch the monkeys. Respect the church and statues, ask before taking pictures in the museum, and check its opening times before you come.
White rows around the square.
A Nativity group.
In the square's trees.
Misiones Department, southern Paraguay
No, do not feed or touch them, as the community looks after them.
Embroidery and tapestries from local workshops.