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Municipality of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Photo: Leandro Kibisz (Loco085), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
São Miguel das Missões in a city in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. It hosts the remains of one of the Jesuit Missions of the Guarani that are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
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Its centerpiece is the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, built in Baroque style, designed by Italian architect Gian Batista Primolli, begun in 1735 and took 10 years to complete, composed of three naves separated by two large archways and five altars with images of saints, coverage was clay tiles supported by wooden beams and, in front, a portico with arches and columns that displayed statues of the 12 apostles. The sandstone blocks were brought from a distance of 20 km. The tower, 25 meters tall, wore a tin rooster and five golden bells. Other highlights include a massive Missionary Cross, built from a single block of stone sandstone, and a 1-ton remaining bell.
Designed in 1940 by Lúcio Costa. Inspired by the dwellings of the missionaries. Its veranda is roofed with clay tiles. The museum contains a rich collection of about a hundred sculptures of rare beauty, of sizes ranging from 15 cm to 2.20 m, collected by John Hugo Machado between 1939 and 1940.
This is the poshest hotel in the city; however, a room of equivalent luxury may run much cheaper in Porto Alegre. It's remote location makes common luxury in the capital city much more expensive here.
Rustic, but very charming and right next door to the archeological site. Your best bet in São Miguel das Missões.
Slightly smaller rooms, but very clean and new. Rooms are generally cheaper than the other two hotels.
By plane
Carrier flights touch down at the airport of nearby city of Santo Ângelo. Flights to other states and countries usually change planes at Porto Alegre or São Paulo.
By bus
Comfortable and air-conditioned executive coaches are available from Porto Alegre and many other cities throughout Rio Grande do Sul state to cities near São Miguel das Missões.
By car
BR-116 North (Porto Alegre to Canoas) BR-386 Northwest (Canoas to Tio Hugo) RS-223/BR-377 West (Tio Hugo to Cruz Alta) RS-342 (Cruz Alta to Ijuí) BR-285/RS-342 (Ijuí to São Miguel das Missões)
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Santo Ângelo · Regional · GEL
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