Page 175 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

ARGENTINIAN LIT OR AL  173

park’s reception area. The 3-mile The entrance of the site, the
(5-km) trek to the Carpincho Centro de Interpretación, has
and Yacaré lagoons provides themed rooms which depict
excellent bird-watching the story of the mission from its
opportunities. A single road, founding to its eventual
often impass able during the decline following the Jesuits’
wet season (November–March), expulsion from the New World
provides vehicle access through in 1767 by the Spanish colonial
to the quebracho forests. authorities. It also has a few
exhibits that touch on Guaraní
t Parque Nacional life. A short grassy path leads
to the ruins among which
Río Pilcomayo lies a large and still clearly
Road map C1. 224 miles (360 km) N Elusive maned wolf found in the Parque recognizable cen tral plaza.
of Resistencia. @ Resistencia to Nacional Río Pilcomayo Dominating the plaza is the
Laguna Blanca via Formosa. n Ave mission’s impos ing red-
Pueyrredón & RN86, Laguna Blanca; Taxis and remises (licensed sandstone church designed by
(03718) 470-045. Open daily.  mini-cabs) run reg ularly from Italian architect Juan Brasanelli
∑ parquesnacionales. Formosa to the park in a sophis ticated style known
gob.ar entrance. The towns as Guaraní Baroque. Its lavishly
of Laguna Naick- gilded interior no longer exists
Bounded to its north by Neck and Laguna Blanca and the roof has long since
Río Pilcomayo, Argentina’s sit near its southern limit. crumbled away, but its magni-
river border with Paraguay, The latter is linked to Formosa ficent portal, adorned with bas-
this 185-sq-mile (490-sq- by bus and has better tourist reliefs sculpted by skilled
km) park shares much of facilities. The small town is Guaraní artists, stands as a
the flora and fauna also the location for testament to the building’s
found in Parque Ringed kingfisher at the park’s administra- original splendor. In a second
Nacional Chaco. Laguna Blanca tive headquarters. square adjacent to the church
However, it contains are the Jesuit priests’ quarters,
more, and larger, bodies of together with the remains of
water. The park’s main y San Ignacio Miní a cemetery, libraries, dining
highlights are the beautiful Road map D1. 230 miles (370 km) E rooms, and a kitchen.
Laguna Blanca and the of Corrientes. * 6,200. @ from The ancient ruins occupy
Esteros Poi, both of which Corrientes. n Ave Sarmiento, access nearly six blocks of the village
are reachable by foot and from San Ignacio, (03764) 349-833. of San Ignacio, which has a
vehicle trails. ∑ misiones-sanignacio.com.ar wide range of accommo dation
The park’s biggest lake, and restaurant options. There
Laguna Blanca, is edged by A UNESCO World Heritage Site, are also sound and light
forests alive with noisy howler the Jesuit ruins at San Ignacio shows that recount the area’s
monkeys, toco toucans, and Miní are the most stunning and rich history.
pretty ringed kingfishers. The extensive of the six ruins that
park has a myriad of other remain from the Jesuit-Guaraní E Centro de Interpretación
animals, includ ing elusive missions founded in the region Alberdi s/n. Tel (03752) 470-186.
mammals such as the maned in the 17th century. Open 7am–7pm daily. &
wolf, which is also the park’s
symbol, and the graceful ocelot.
The lake is a popular bathing
spot, despite the presence at
its shoreline of broad-nosed
caiman and capybara, neither
of which bite. It is advisable,
however, to swim with shoes
on. Visi tors are also advised not
to feed the fish. To the west of
the lake, the Esteros Poi marsh-
land is inhabited by wading
birds such as herons, jabiru
storks, and jacanas.
Apart from Resistencia, the
nearest major town to Parque
Nacional Río Pilcomayo is
Formosa, 112 miles (180 km)
north in the Formosa prov ince. The Jesuit ruins of San Ignacio Miní, founded in the 17th century
The magnificent horseshoe-shaped Iguazú Falls

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