Foz do Iguacu Landmarks and Monuments

(Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil)

Apart from the dramatic Iguacu Falls and its surrounding scenery, there are a number of impressive landmarks to be found within Foz do Iguacu, both man-made and shaped by the hand of mother nature. These include a series of old Jesuit missions and the Mesquita Omar Ibn Al-Khatab (Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque), which is considered to be one of the largest and most impressive mosques sited outside of the Middle East

Marking the very spot where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay all meet, the landmark best known as the Triple Frontier is especially noteworthy and often also called the Three Borders, while Brazilians in Foz do Iguacu refer to it as the Triple Frontera (Portuguese), and in Argentina as the Los Tres Fronteras (Spanish).

Jesuit Missions

Address: Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
There are a selection of historical missions spread around Brazil and neighbouring areas of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, which are connected by tour operators departing on a regular basis from Foz do Iguacu. Built by Jesuit priests, the missions were integral parts of jungle communities during the 17th century and 18th century. As well as churches, these settlements featured hospitals, schools, farms and even small businesses. During the latter part of the 18th century, major conflict saw the Jesuits cast out by the Portuguese and the haunting ruins of these missions remain today, offering an insight into what were once small jungle cities.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge for tour packages

Mesquita Omar Ibn Al-Khatab / Centro Cultural Beneficente Islamico (Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque / Islamic Cultural Centre)

Address: Rua Palestina / Rua Nelson Rodrigues, Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
The Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque is quite an unexpected landmark and is certainly eye-catching. Construction of this mosque began in 1981 and lasted just two years, with the inauguration ceremony taking place in March 1983. The bright-white architecture was inspired by the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and is dominated by its two slender minarets (towers), which stand at 15 metres / 49 feet in height and add an undeniable elegance. In 1998, the mosque opened to the general public and guided tours can now be arranged where required, allowing visitors to make more sense of the abstract paintings and verses of the Koran adorning the walls.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Triple Frontera (Three Borders / Triple Frontier / Three Frontiers Landmark)

Address: Foz do Iguacu, Paraná, Brazil, BR
A stone obelisk marks the Triple Frontera and was erected in 1903 as an important symbol of equality between the surrounding nations. This unique landmark stands at the confluence of the Rio Iguacu (Iguazu River) and the Rio Paraná (Parana River), being located particularly close to Foz do Iguacu, whilst also being nearby Alto Paraná, Ciudad del Este, Misiones, Paraná and Puerto Iguazu. Understandably, the Triple Frontier has become something of a prominent tourist spot, providing views of the Tancredo Neves Bridge/ Fraternity Bridge (Ponte da Fraternidade), which links Foz do Iguacu with its Argentinean neighbour of Puerto Iguazu.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free