Santa MarÃÂa de Fe is a town and district located in the Misiones Department in Paraguay, located about 15 km from the city of San Ignacio.
Father Emmanuel Berthot founded the town in 1647.
The original church was destroyed by a fire in 1889. Fortunately, many paintings were able to be salvaged and can be admired today in the church and in the museum. In the museum there are many beautiful Baroque paintings and wooden sculptures on show.
In 1787, Rev. José AgustÃÂn Molas was born in Santa MarÃÂa de Fe, one of the Catholic priests who took part in the independence revolution on 14 and 15 May 1811. Molas is remembered as one of the heroes who helped liberate Paraguay.
The French explorer and botanist, Amado Aimé Bonpland was detained in Santa MarÃÂa until 1829. Whilst he was there, he taught the local population how to cultivate different plants and methods to produce candies and liquors. He married his wife MarÃÂa, a daughter of a cacique, with whom he had two children.
The district of Santa MarÃÂa de Fe is located in the Eastern Region of Paraguay. It's located 253 km south of Asunción, the capital of the country, one arrives at Santa Maria, taking the National Route Number 1, and then taking a detour between the cities of San Ignacio and Santa Rosa.
The district of Santa MarÃÂa is bordered by the following districts: