Yapeyú

Information

It is a locality in the east of the province of Corrientes. It is on the west bank of the Uruguay River, which separates it from Brazil. It is 139 km from Santo Tomé, 283 km from Posadas (it belongs to the province of Misiones) and 393 km from the city of Corrientes.

It was founded in 1627 by the Jesuits as a reduction called Nuestra Señora de los Santos Reyes de Yapeyú. It is well known in Argentina because José de San Martín, who was one of the main figures of the war of independence, was born there in 1778 and lived there in his early years. He was born there because it was the place of residence of his father Juan de San Martín (who was the governor of the department of Yapeyú) and his mother Gregoria Matorras.

There are green spaces and an amphitheatre with an excellent view of the Uruguay River. Nearby there is a small building that you can visit, which has the remains of San Martín's birth house inside, and posters that explain the life of the liberator and the history of the house. Next to it, there is an interpretation centre with some pieces of the old Jesuit church, posters explaining the missions, and showcases with animated mock-ups showing activities of the time such as workshops and agricultural areas. One block away is the Museo de la Cultura Jesuita (a museum) with remains of the reduction.

It has an ATM, some lodgings and restaurants. To get to Yapeyú, from National Route 14 there is a fork to the east, which is road 122, which is 6 kilometres to the town.