Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba

The Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba (Spanish: Manzana Jesuítica y Estancias de Córdoba) are a former Jesuit reduction built by missionaries in the province of Córdoba, Argentina, named a World Heritage Site in 2000.[1]

Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba

UNESCO World Heritage Site
View of the Estancia Alta Gracia
Location	Córdoba Province, Argentina
Includes	Jesuit Block Estancia of Alta Gracia Estancia of Jesús María Estancia of Santa Catalina Estancia of Caroya Estancia of La Candelaría
Criteria	Cultural: (ii), (iv)
Reference	995
Inscription	2000 (24th Session)
Area	38.12 ha (94.2 acres)
Coordinates	31°25′14″S 64°11′28″W
Location of Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba in Argentina

The Manzana Jesuítica contains the University of Córdoba, one of the oldest in South America, the Monserrat Secondary School, a church, and residence buildings.[1] To maintain such a project, the Jesuits operated six Estancias (residences) around the province of Córdoba,[2] named Caroya, Jesús María, Santa Catalina, Alta Gracia, Candelaria, and San Ignacio.[3][4]

The farm and the complex, started in 1615, had to be left by the Jesuits, following the 1767 decree by King Charles III of Spain that expelled them from the continent.[5] They were then run by the Franciscans until 1853, when the Jesuits returned to The Americas. Nevertheless, the university and the high-school were nationalized a year later.

Each Estancia has its own church and set of buildings,[2] around which towns grew, such as Alta Gracia, the closest to the Block. The Jesuit Block and the Estancias can be visited by tourists; the Road of the Jesuit Estancias is approximately 250 kilometres (160 mi) in length.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who would later become Pope Francis, lived there.[6]