San Ignacio de Loyola church

San Ignacio de Loyola church, the oldest in Buenos Aires

With its fine white façade, San Ignacio de Loyola church is the oldest preserved church of Buenos Aires. Built by the Jesuits, it is a precious witness of the colonial era. The Buenos Aires audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this baroque sanctuary, in the heart of the city.

A seventeenth-century Jesuit church

San Ignacio de Loyola church, dedicated to Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, was built by the Jesuits between the end of the seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth century. It is the oldest preserved Catholic church of Buenos Aires. In the baroque style, it is part of the former Manzana de las Luces, a high place of Jesuit teaching, and testifies to the colonial origins of the city.

What to see

You admire the white façade, the baroque interior and the atmosphere of contemplation of this history-laden church. Located in the area of the former Manzana de las Luces, it recalls the role of the Jesuits in colonial Buenos Aires. It is a major stop for lovers of history and religious heritage.

Practical information

San Ignacio de Loyola church lies in the heart of the historic centre of Buenos Aires, reachable on foot. A working Catholic place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free, but hours vary with celebrations and the season. It is best to check them before coming.

Why is San Ignacio de Loyola church important?

Because it is the oldest preserved Catholic church of Buenos Aires, built by the Jesuits at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

To whom is San Ignacio de Loyola church dedicated?

To Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish soldier who became the founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuit order.