Paraguay
landlocked country in south-central South America. Paraguay’s recent history has been characterized by turbulence and authoritarian rule. It was involved in two of the three major wars on the continent—the War of the Triple Alliance (1864/65–70), against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, and the Chaco War (1932–35), against Bolivia. Moreover, a civil war in 1947 and the long dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner (1954–89) left a deep legacy of fear and self-censorship among Paraguayans, who began to overcome those impediments only in the early 21st century. Since 1989 the democratization process has been rocky, and Paraguay has experienced bouts of instability in its military, the assassination of a vice president in 1999, and the indictment of former presidents Juan Carlos Wasmosy (1993–98) and Luis González Macchi (1999–2003) on corruption charges. In 2008 Paraguay’s Colorado Party, the longest continuously ruling political party in the world, lost power for the first time since 1947, though it returned to power in 2013. Paraguay has a more-homogeneous population than most other countries in South America; most Paraguayans are of European and Guaraní ancestry. The Guaraní culture is strongly represented through folk art and festivals, and Guaraní was designated an official language of Paraguay in the country’s 1992 constitution. Paraguayans are intensely nationalistic and are proud to converse in Guaraní, which acts as a strong marker of their identity. That indigenous language is much more widely spoken in Paraguay than is Spanish, which is unique in Latin America. Source: www.britannica.com
landlocked country in south-central South America. Paraguay’s recent history has been characterized by turbulence and authoritarian rule. It was involved in two of the three major wars on the continent—the War of the Triple Alliance (1864/65–70), against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, and the Chaco War (1932–35), against Bolivia. Moreover, a civil war in 1947 and the long dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner (1954–89) left a deep legacy of fear and self-censorship among Paraguayans, who began to overcome those impediments only in the early 21st century. Since 1989 the democratization process has been rocky, and Paraguay has experienced bouts of instability in its military, the assassination of a vice president in 1999, and the indictment of former presidents Juan Carlos Wasmosy (1993–98) and Luis González Macchi (1999–2003) on corruption charges. In 2008 Paraguay’s Colorado Party, the longest continuously ruling political party in the world, lost power for the first time since 1947, though it returned to power in 2013. Paraguay has a more-homogeneous population than most other countries in South America; most Paraguayans are of European and Guaraní ancestry. The Guaraní culture is strongly represented through folk art and festivals, and Guaraní was designated an official language of Paraguay in the country’s 1992 constitution. Paraguayans are intensely nationalistic and are proud to converse in Guaraní, which acts as a strong marker of their identity. That indigenous language is much more widely spoken in Paraguay than is Spanish, which is unique in Latin America. Source: www.britannica.com
Asunción
capital of Paraguay, occupying a promontory and descending to the Paraguay River near its confluence with the Pilcomayo. The city lies 175 feet (53 metres) above sea level. The city was so named when a stockade was completed there on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) in 1537. When Buenos Aires was evacuated in 1541 after an attack by the Pampa Indians, the inhabitants fled to Asunción. It was the headquarters of Spanish colonial activities in eastern South America for nearly half a century before Buenos Aires was refounded. In 1588 Jesuits established mission settlements on the Paraná River to convert the Guaraní population. Intermarriage of Indians and Spaniards contributed to the largely mestizo character of the present Paraguayans. After official separation from Buenos Aires in 1617, Asunción declined in importance. Partly because of its remoteness from Spain, nationalist and separatist movements began early in Paraguay: the Jesuits were expelled in 1767, and independence from Spain was declared in Asunción at midnight on May 14/15, 1811. The city’s strategic position at the head of a great river system linking Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, its three enemies in the War of the Triple Alliance (1864/65–1870), led to Asunción’s capture in 1868, and Brazil occupied and administered it until 1876. Asunción has many beautiful flowering trees and several large parks. Adjacent to the river, suburban buildings are still colonial in style—one story with a patio—but the centre of town consists of modern high-rise buildings. The cathedral, presidential palace, and Pantheon of Heroes (a smaller replica of the Invalides in Paris), all built in the 19th century, and the Hotel Guaraní, designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, are among the notable buildings. As the seat of the national government and of the archbishop of Paraguay, Asunción dominates social, cultural, and economic trends in Paraguay. Several institutions of higher education, including the Universidad Nacional de Asunción (1890), the Universidad Católica “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” (1960), and numerous private universities, are located in Asunción. Source: www.britannica.com
capital of Paraguay, occupying a promontory and descending to the Paraguay River near its confluence with the Pilcomayo. The city lies 175 feet (53 metres) above sea level. The city was so named when a stockade was completed there on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) in 1537. When Buenos Aires was evacuated in 1541 after an attack by the Pampa Indians, the inhabitants fled to Asunción. It was the headquarters of Spanish colonial activities in eastern South America for nearly half a century before Buenos Aires was refounded. In 1588 Jesuits established mission settlements on the Paraná River to convert the Guaraní population. Intermarriage of Indians and Spaniards contributed to the largely mestizo character of the present Paraguayans. After official separation from Buenos Aires in 1617, Asunción declined in importance. Partly because of its remoteness from Spain, nationalist and separatist movements began early in Paraguay: the Jesuits were expelled in 1767, and independence from Spain was declared in Asunción at midnight on May 14/15, 1811. The city’s strategic position at the head of a great river system linking Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, its three enemies in the War of the Triple Alliance (1864/65–1870), led to Asunción’s capture in 1868, and Brazil occupied and administered it until 1876. Asunción has many beautiful flowering trees and several large parks. Adjacent to the river, suburban buildings are still colonial in style—one story with a patio—but the centre of town consists of modern high-rise buildings. The cathedral, presidential palace, and Pantheon of Heroes (a smaller replica of the Invalides in Paris), all built in the 19th century, and the Hotel Guaraní, designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, are among the notable buildings. As the seat of the national government and of the archbishop of Paraguay, Asunción dominates social, cultural, and economic trends in Paraguay. Several institutions of higher education, including the Universidad Nacional de Asunción (1890), the Universidad Católica “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” (1960), and numerous private universities, are located in Asunción. Source: www.britannica.com
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Right at the heart of Barrio Catedral, this towering church is an integral part of the Asunción skyline. Built in 1845 to replace a 16th century chapel and clad in silver, it’s a powerful sight, with a stripped-back interior and dainty stained glass windows. Today, the cathedral is at the heart of the city’s religious celebrations – the pope even celebrated mass here in November 2015. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
Right at the heart of Barrio Catedral, this towering church is an integral part of the Asunción skyline. Built in 1845 to replace a 16th century chapel and clad in silver, it’s a powerful sight, with a stripped-back interior and dainty stained glass windows. Today, the cathedral is at the heart of the city’s religious celebrations – the pope even celebrated mass here in November 2015. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
Palacio de los López
Blindingly white and heavily influenced by neoclassical and palladian styles, the presidential palace is perhaps Asunción’s most iconic building. Originally intended to be a grand home, today it serves as the seat of government, with the president’s office on the ground floor. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
Blindingly white and heavily influenced by neoclassical and palladian styles, the presidential palace is perhaps Asunción’s most iconic building. Originally intended to be a grand home, today it serves as the seat of government, with the president’s office on the ground floor. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
Guarded by two solemn sentinels, Panteón Nacional de los Héroes is a shrine paying homage to Paraguay’s fallen and a restful place for quiet reflection. Interred inside the chapel are Don Carlos Antonio López – Paraguay’s first president – and hero of the Chaco War, Mariscal José Félix Estigarribia, as well as the remains of two unknown soldiers. Look out for the ceremonial changing of the guard throughout the day. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
Guarded by two solemn sentinels, Panteón Nacional de los Héroes is a shrine paying homage to Paraguay’s fallen and a restful place for quiet reflection. Interred inside the chapel are Don Carlos Antonio López – Paraguay’s first president – and hero of the Chaco War, Mariscal José Félix Estigarribia, as well as the remains of two unknown soldiers. Look out for the ceremonial changing of the guard throughout the day. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
Casa de la Independencia
This unassuming cottage, built in the late 18th century by a Spanish settler, is an important national monument. It was here that a tightly knit political group declared Paraguay’s independence from Spanish rule in 1811. Now Casa de la Independencia houses relics of that time, including secret documents and beautiful paintings of key members of the movement. History buffs shouldn’t miss the stately portrait of Emperor Charles V, hanging in the saloon. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
This unassuming cottage, built in the late 18th century by a Spanish settler, is an important national monument. It was here that a tightly knit political group declared Paraguay’s independence from Spanish rule in 1811. Now Casa de la Independencia houses relics of that time, including secret documents and beautiful paintings of key members of the movement. History buffs shouldn’t miss the stately portrait of Emperor Charles V, hanging in the saloon. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
El Cabildo
is a cultural centre and exhibition space dedicated to Paraguay’s indigenous heritage. It has several halls packed with examples of traditional music, religious artifacts and native crafts. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
is a cultural centre and exhibition space dedicated to Paraguay’s indigenous heritage. It has several halls packed with examples of traditional music, religious artifacts and native crafts. Source: https://theculturetrip.com
Museo de Arte Sacra
opened in 2010 by the foundation of its patron Nicolas Dario Latourrette Bo in the restored Villa Lina, whose architecture dates back to the early twentieth century. The Museum has been declared of National Tourist and Cultural Interest thanks to its original search for Paraguayan identity through Franciscan and Jesuit religious imagery. With more than 600 pieces from the seventeenth century, the Museum of Sacred Art includes examples of what is known as "Hispano-Guaraní art", which was the result of colonization and the tribespeople's artistic interpretation of the carvings and evangelization brought by the Spaniards. Source: www.iberia.com
opened in 2010 by the foundation of its patron Nicolas Dario Latourrette Bo in the restored Villa Lina, whose architecture dates back to the early twentieth century. The Museum has been declared of National Tourist and Cultural Interest thanks to its original search for Paraguayan identity through Franciscan and Jesuit religious imagery. With more than 600 pieces from the seventeenth century, the Museum of Sacred Art includes examples of what is known as "Hispano-Guaraní art", which was the result of colonization and the tribespeople's artistic interpretation of the carvings and evangelization brought by the Spaniards. Source: www.iberia.com
Hotel Guaraní Splendor
is an emblem of the city of Asunción. It was completed in 1961 and officially opened in 1962, being the first high class hotel in Paraguay where illustrious personalities or world authorities who were visiting the country can stay. Its unique design in the country from Brazilian designers gave a modern and avant-garde air to the capital, inspired by the modern architectural revolution of Brasilia. In the Hotel Guaraní, illustrious people of the world passed, such as Neil Armstrong, Prince Felipe of England, Charles de Gaulle and others. For being an icon of Asuncian history and architecture, as well as being the first high-rise building in the capital during the 60s, its image remains stamped on the now extinct and out-of-circulation ticket of 5 guaranies. Source: www.bienvenidoaparaguay.com
is an emblem of the city of Asunción. It was completed in 1961 and officially opened in 1962, being the first high class hotel in Paraguay where illustrious personalities or world authorities who were visiting the country can stay. Its unique design in the country from Brazilian designers gave a modern and avant-garde air to the capital, inspired by the modern architectural revolution of Brasilia. In the Hotel Guaraní, illustrious people of the world passed, such as Neil Armstrong, Prince Felipe of England, Charles de Gaulle and others. For being an icon of Asuncian history and architecture, as well as being the first high-rise building in the capital during the 60s, its image remains stamped on the now extinct and out-of-circulation ticket of 5 guaranies. Source: www.bienvenidoaparaguay.com
Cultural Center "Manzana de la Rivera"
one of the buildings built during the colonial era of Asunción and within the historical center, it has important relevance because it gives an idea of the urban planning of Asunción. Currently, it is a set of nine houses that were restored located in front of the Palacio de los López where the epicenter of the culture of the Municipality of Asunción operates, since not only are their offices there, but due to the number of spaces It has become a multicultural venue where it has two auditoriums, several exhibition halls, the Museum of the Memory of Asunción and the Harp Museum. Source: www.bienvenidoaparaguay.com
one of the buildings built during the colonial era of Asunción and within the historical center, it has important relevance because it gives an idea of the urban planning of Asunción. Currently, it is a set of nine houses that were restored located in front of the Palacio de los López where the epicenter of the culture of the Municipality of Asunción operates, since not only are their offices there, but due to the number of spaces It has become a multicultural venue where it has two auditoriums, several exhibition halls, the Museum of the Memory of Asunción and the Harp Museum. Source: www.bienvenidoaparaguay.com
Carlos Antonio Lopez Railway Museum at the Railway Station
Asunción's first locomotive. The locomotive named 'Sapucai', has the honour of being one of the first steam powered beasts on rails to cross the Rio de la Plata area. Can you imagine the scene as the inhabitants of Asunción climbed on board a train for the first time? The city railway station opened in 1861 and interestingly, it was one of the first in Latin America to cater for passengers, not just cargo. Source: www.iberia.com
Asunción's first locomotive. The locomotive named 'Sapucai', has the honour of being one of the first steam powered beasts on rails to cross the Rio de la Plata area. Can you imagine the scene as the inhabitants of Asunción climbed on board a train for the first time? The city railway station opened in 1861 and interestingly, it was one of the first in Latin America to cater for passengers, not just cargo. Source: www.iberia.com
Casa Bicentenario Augusto Roa Bastos
Casa del Teatro Edda de los Rios
Museo Etnográfico Barbero
Paraguayan Cuisine
Agriculture is one of the main industries in Paraguay. Most of the crops are farmed locally and the animals raised contribute to a diet similar to that eaten in Uruguay. This means that meats such as beef, pork and lamb all play an important role in the diet. Without a coastline fish are generally freshwater fish, and there are several varieties of catfish caught in the country's rivers. One of the main crops in Paraguay is corn. In Paraguay food often uses this crop, while dairy ingredients such as milk and cheese are also important parts of the diet. One of the most traditional meals that is eaten in Paraguay is sopa paraguaya, which is a blend of European and the indigenous Guarani cuisine. It is a thick corn bread made with onions, cornflour, eggs, milk and pork fat. The 'asado' barbecue is one of the traditional ways to enjoy meat in Paraguay. Most of these barbecues offer a combination of sausages, steaks and other cuts of meat. Often guests bring salads and side dishes. Milanesa is one dish with European influences, it is a breaded cutlet of beef or chicken usually served with mashed potatoes. One of the most common ways to prepare fish in Paraguay is pira caldo, which is a thick rich soup made with chunks of fish, tomatoes and peppers. In Paraguay food can revolve around meat but there are also many vegetarians options. One of the tastiest vegetarian dishes on offer here is kiveve, which is a creamy dish made with pumpkin, cheese and corn flour. Kiveve is either served as a side dish or as a main meal. Bread is also an important part of the diet in Paraguay. One common type is chipa, which is a type of cheese bun made with manioc flour and eggs. Cakes are particularly popular and easy to find throughout the country. You can find honey cakes, raisin cakes and cookie cakes everywhere. One of the traditional snacks in the region is Kosereva, which is a sweet made by cooking sour orange skin in dark molasses. One of the common drinks in Paraguay is mate (pronounced ma-tay), which is found across South America, and is an infusion of leaves that has a strong caffeine kick, and is drunk through a type of metal straw that is traditional for the drink itself. Source: www.tripsavvy.com
Agriculture is one of the main industries in Paraguay. Most of the crops are farmed locally and the animals raised contribute to a diet similar to that eaten in Uruguay. This means that meats such as beef, pork and lamb all play an important role in the diet. Without a coastline fish are generally freshwater fish, and there are several varieties of catfish caught in the country's rivers. One of the main crops in Paraguay is corn. In Paraguay food often uses this crop, while dairy ingredients such as milk and cheese are also important parts of the diet. One of the most traditional meals that is eaten in Paraguay is sopa paraguaya, which is a blend of European and the indigenous Guarani cuisine. It is a thick corn bread made with onions, cornflour, eggs, milk and pork fat. The 'asado' barbecue is one of the traditional ways to enjoy meat in Paraguay. Most of these barbecues offer a combination of sausages, steaks and other cuts of meat. Often guests bring salads and side dishes. Milanesa is one dish with European influences, it is a breaded cutlet of beef or chicken usually served with mashed potatoes. One of the most common ways to prepare fish in Paraguay is pira caldo, which is a thick rich soup made with chunks of fish, tomatoes and peppers. In Paraguay food can revolve around meat but there are also many vegetarians options. One of the tastiest vegetarian dishes on offer here is kiveve, which is a creamy dish made with pumpkin, cheese and corn flour. Kiveve is either served as a side dish or as a main meal. Bread is also an important part of the diet in Paraguay. One common type is chipa, which is a type of cheese bun made with manioc flour and eggs. Cakes are particularly popular and easy to find throughout the country. You can find honey cakes, raisin cakes and cookie cakes everywhere. One of the traditional snacks in the region is Kosereva, which is a sweet made by cooking sour orange skin in dark molasses. One of the common drinks in Paraguay is mate (pronounced ma-tay), which is found across South America, and is an infusion of leaves that has a strong caffeine kick, and is drunk through a type of metal straw that is traditional for the drink itself. Source: www.tripsavvy.com