Famous Natural & Historic Landmarks in Paraguay
Paraguay is a small landlocked country in South America. Sandwiched between Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia, Paraguay has some interesting sights to offer locals and tourists alike. These are the most famous landmarks in Paraguay to check out when you visit.
The Most Famous Landmarks In Paraguay
Whether you’re interested in the natural beauty of Paraguay or the historical and cultural aspects of the country, you’ll find something that piques your interest in this beautiful country. Let’s go through some of the most famous landmarks in Paraguay.
Learn about other amazing landmarks around the world:
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Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue
Paraguay currently has two UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Jesuits Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue. La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná is located one hour north of Encarnacion, while Jesús de Tavarangue is one and a half hours north.
Beginning in the 17th century, the Jesuits constructed more than thirty missions to spread Christianity among the native populations. Each of the missions was attached to “reducciones,” which are settlements. These settlements housed native people who the Spanish Christianized.
The mission of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná is the best-preserved Jesuit mission in all of South America. Construction began in 1706, and the complex’s area has eight hectares of land to explore. The ruins of the church and surrounding land are archeological masterpieces.
The mission of Jesús de Tavarangue is also in magnificent shape compared to other missions in neighboring Argentina and Brazil. It was built in 1685 and consisted of a church, a school, and a town square. Both missions are beautiful sites with a rich history stretching back to the Spanish colonial era.
National Pantheon of the Heroes
Located in the Paraguayan capital of Asunción, the National Pantheon of Heroes is a memorial and monument for the heroes of Paraguay. It is an architectural marvel alongside the oratory of the Virgin Our Lady Saint Mary of the Asunción, which is attached to the monument.
Construction began in 1864, but the War of the Triple Alliance between Paraguay on one side and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay on the other disrupted assembly. The war is still the bloodiest conflict in South American history, especially for Paraguay.
Historians estimate that Paraguay lost more than half of its population in the war. Due to the war, construction stopped and was slow to begin again. It took nearly 70 years to finish constructing the National Pantheon of Heroes. It’s now one of the most famous places in Paraguay and it’s open daily to visitors as a historical landmark.
The National Pantheon of Heroes is a monument to the people who died in that war and the other wars Paraguay was involved in. One of the people buried there is the first constitutional president, Don Carlos Antonio López. His son led the country during the devastation of the War of the Triple Alliance.
Triple Frontier
The Triple Frontier is a tri-border located in the southeastern region of Paraguay, bordering Brazil and Argentina. The Paraguayan city on the border is Ciudad del Este, the most populated city in the region.
The Triple Frontier is an important site for Paraguay because it was imposed on them at the end of the War of the Triple Alliance. Before the war, Paraguay’s territory was much larger. But after the war, Paraguay was forced to give territory to the other countries.
Today, the Triple Frontier is a prominent tourist site, both in Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Each country built an obelisk in their territory to mark their country’s borders. The obelisks are painted in each country’s colors, so Paraguay’s obelisk is red, white, and blue.
The area near the Triple Frontier is close to the confluence of two rivers. The Argentinians and Brazilians built a bridge. The Paraguayan site has beautiful views of the river, bridge, and surrounding countryside.
Salto Suizo
Located about a four-hour drive east of the capital is a nature reserve called Salto Suizo. Translated from Spanish, Salto Suizo means “Swiss jump.” It refers to the 195-foot waterfall located within the nature reserve.
Salto Suizo is one of the premier destinations in Paraguay for anyone who likes to spend time outdoors, particularly hiking. There are multiple viewpoints around the park, both to admire the waterfall and the mountainous terrain.
Some areas have zip lines and tree walks, which are bridges and ladders strung up in the tree line that are a unique experience for anyone. The nature reserve has camping options as well as “classic barrel” housing.
Aside from hiking and zip-lining, the nature reserve also allows experienced mountain climbers to traverse its cliffs. If you’re interested in the outdoor wonders of Paraguay, you can’t miss Salto Suizo!
Government Palace
The Government Palace, located in downtown Asunción, is the seat of government and residence of the President. The full name of the building is the “Palacio de López,” named after General Francisco Solano López, the second president of Paraguay.
The palace is a neoclassical building with an entirely white façade. The front of the building has dozens of arches present on both the first and second story. The building is dominated by a tall watchtower in the center of the structure, giving it an imposing view of surrounding Asunción.
It hosts tours and visitors during the day, but at night is when the building comes alive. The palace has extensive night lighting that makes for great pictures. The entire building lights up with thousands of bulbs that illuminate the surrounding gardens and paths, making for a beautiful evening stroll.
Just across the street from the palace is a cultural center where you can learn about the history and culture of Paraguay. An evening spent exploring the cultural richness of Paraguay followed by an illuminated walk around the Government Palace isn’t a waste!
Cerro Lambaré
Cerro Lambaré is a monument located just south of downtown Asunción in a neighborhood called Lambaré. Located on top of a small mountain, Cerro Lambaré gives visitors stunning views of the capital, the river, and the bay.
Locals consider the hike to the monument an easy walk. The trail is 1.6 miles long with a gentle incline for the majority of the trail. The whole trek should take you less than an hour, so visiting the monument is the ideal choice for a short day trip. On weekends the trail gets particularly busy, though.
Once you reach the top of the mountain, you’ll be met with an imposing monument. Stretching high into the sky, the spire-shaped monument remembers Chief Lambaré, a fierce defender of native rights against the Spanish colonizers.
Visiting the monument is a great way to not only see the beautiful city of Asunción but also to reflect on the history of Paraguay. Often forgotten about, Paraguay is a country rich with history and culture that you need to see for yourself.
Wrapping Up – Landmarks In Paraguay
There are plenty of landmarks in Paraguay for you to discover! From the Paraguay historical landmarks of the Government Palace or the Triple Frontier to the Paraguay natural landmarks, like Salto Suizo, you’ll always find something to see in Paraguay.
So, what are you waiting for? Paraguay has all the adventures you need and more! If you found any of these landmarks in Paraguay interesting, it might be your sign to visit.
