The ruins of San Ignacio Miní were closed to the public in the early 1990s because of structural instability. Over the centuries, multiple collapses had occurred and erosion by wind, water, and biological growth threatened further damage. The nearby town had expanded to envelop the site, putting it at risk for looting and increasing drainage and sewage problems.
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The ruins of San Ignacio Miní were closed to the public in the early 1990s because of structural instability. Over the centuries, multiple collapses had occurred and erosion by wind, water, and biological growth threatened further damage. The nearby town had expanded to envelop the site, putting it at risk for looting and increasing drainage and sewage problems.
WMF placed San Ignacio Miní on the Watch list in 1996 (and again in 2004, once the project was under way, as part of a group nomination of the South American Jesuit missions). WMF supported the repair and restoration of the church’s eastern portal. In the 1940s, wooden beams had been inserted into the structure to prevent collapse of the gateway, but these had begun to sag. The lintel was supported by scaffolding while the old beams were removed and new ones were installed. The stones of the portal were removed, cleaned, conserved, and replaced.
Subsequent WMF projects at San Ignacio Miní have included the restoration of the main portal and the development of an interpretation center. WMF also organized a conference at the site with preservation agencies, conservation experts, and the Argentine government to devise a long-term management plan for the ruins that can be used as a model for other sites in the area.
