Sights and landmarks in Asunción

Sights and landmarks in Asunción

1. See

   Casa de la Independencia

   Historic house built in 1772 where the independence of Paraguay was secretly planned in 1811. Well preserved historic museum furnished with items of historic and artistic interest.

   Mon-Fri 08:00-18:00; Sat 08:00-13:00·Free

2. See

   Centro Cultural El Cabildo

   One of the few museums that open on weekends it's in an old colonial building that was the Congress Palace until 2003. Near the riverside costanera it has various exhibition spaces. The Sala Museo del Barro is one of the sections which presents pieces of indigenous art from native groups of Paraguay and Latin America. Another permanent exhibition space is the Sala Agustín Pío Barrios - Mangoré, which treasures the life and work of the great composer of the Paraguayan guitar. Another section is the Sala de la Escena Paraguaya - Edda de los Ríos which aims to disseminate everything related to the performing arts in Paraguay. There are also works from potter artist Julia Isídrez exhibiting a variety of clay works, in dark tone, with designs of faces, animals and nature figures. The Cabildo also incorporates works from traditional Christmas cribs by local artists such as Lucy Yegros, Gabriela Zuccolillo and Carlo Spatuzza.

   Tue-Fri 09:00-20:00; Sat Sun 10:00-17:00·Free

3. See

   Estación Central del Ferrocarril

   Central Railway Station

   Paraguay was the first country in South America to have a steam-powered train. It now houses a museum, but more impressive is the building itself and old wagons.

   free

4. See

   Iglesia de la Encarnación

   Big church with a big pipe organ, the only one in the country.

5. See

   Manzana de la Rivera

   Cultural and exhibition complex in a series of interconnected old colonial houses comprising an entire square block. Has a nice outdoor cafe overlooking the Palacio de López.

   free

6. See

   Mburuvicha Roga

   The name translates as "the chief house" in Guarani language. It's where the presidential family lives. Not open to the public. Only the exterior is visible from its main entrance on Avenida Mariscal López.

7. See

   Metropolitan Cathedral

   Catedral Metropolitana

   The national cathedral. Next to the broad and picturesque plaza Independencia.

8. See

   Mirador Ita Pyta Punta

   The name means red stone rock in Guaraní. Pleasant small park at one of the edges of the city. Attractive lookout over the river Paraguay with nice views of sunsets in the afternoons. Officially the lookout is "temporarily" closed and fenced off, but locals opened the doors through it. Ita Pyta Punta is not the safest neighbourhood at night. Maybe better accessible by taxi if you're alone.

9. See

   Museo del Barro

   Best museum in town. Displays of Paraguayan art, dating from pre-colonial ceramics and textiles to avant garde contemporary art.

10. See

    National Congress of Paraguay

    Palacio Legislativo

    One of the more impressive new buildings in the city. It was built in 2002 with a US$20 million donation from the Republic of China (Taiwan) government. Paraguay is one of the few countries and also the only country in South America that recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan) as opposed to mainland China (People's Republic of China). Most striking is its mirrored façade, which reflects the nearby slums along the bank of the river. You can ask for a tour in English, and maybe get one. Arrive by 13:00, so that you will be able to visit the small museum inside.

11. See

    Palacio de López

    Government Palace

    Houses the Paraguayan executive branch government. Very well lit at night. The interior is not open to the public.

12. See

    Panteón Nacional de los Héroes

    Houses the tomb of the unknown soldier along with other national heroes from Paraguay's history, also commemorative plaques for heroes of the Triple Alliance and Chaco War. Changing of the guard occurs every other day.

13. See

    Parque Seminario

    Lively park where people perform jogging and walking. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Asunción and it has a nice brick church, the Capellanía del Migrante, with English services.

    Open now · closes 10 pm·US$0.50 pedestrians, US$1.50 cars.

14. See

    Plaza Uruguaya

    A nice shady park with bookstores and some old buildings around it. Free wifi.

15. See

    Teatro Municipal

    Renovated; check for regular shows. Nice cafe at one of theater's corners.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Asunción (CC BY-SA 4.0).