São Miguel das Missões is an ancient ruin located in the Brazilian province of Rio Grande do Sul. Translated from Portuguese, the name means "Mission of St Michael". The ruins of São Miguel das Missões are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the mid-17th century, Jesuit missionaries founded the Mission of São Miguel das Missões, with the intention of converting the Guaraní Indians to Christianity. The mission was founded near the Itayaseco Indian settlement. The mission was later moved to its present location.
The mission at that time was inhabited by about 4,000 Indians who had converted to Christianity. В 1735, construction of a baroque church began.
In 1750, Portugal ceded the territory to Spain. The Jesuits were ordered to leave the mission. After they refused to do so, the Spanish army the forces of the Spanish army were used against them. Later, Spanish troops took over all the lands of San Miguel das Misoynes.
In 1929, in the town of Santo Angelo, which is located near to São Miguel das Missões, an exact replica of the mission's cathedral was built.
In 1940, the mission museum was inaugurated. In the museum you can see a large number of wood sculptures depicting saints. They were carved by Jesuits and by Jesuits and Indians. Some of the sculptures are up to 2 metres tall.
Nowadays, São Miguel das Missões is a famous landmark in Brazil. Tours of the mission ruins are organised for tourists.
