Culture

Fortín Boquerón

Boquerón

A historical-military site in the Chaco, scene of the 1932 Battle of Boquerón during the Chaco War; a free field museum with trenches, cemeteries, and the Potez 25 TOE aircraft.

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Milagros de Caacupé

Caacupé

Paraguay's most important Marian shrine; the current basilica was commissioned in 1939, its cornerstone laid in 1945, and construction completed in 2006, before Pope Francis elevated it to Minor Basilica status in 2015.

Misión Jesuítica Guaraní de San Cosme y Damián

San Cosme y Damián

A Jesuit mission founded in 1632, the only one to keep its original school building standing among the 30 Guaraní reductions; on UNESCO's Tentative List and the historic home of Jesuit astronomer Buenaventura Suárez.

Misión Jesuítica de Jesús de Tavarangüe

Jesús de Tavarangüe

A Jesuit mission founded in 1685, known for its unfinished great church — a replica of the one in Loyola, Italy; a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 alongside Trinidad, with a nightly 3D video-mapping show.

Misión Jesuítica de la Santísima Trinidad del Paraná

Trinidad

Paraguay's best-preserved Guaraní reduction, founded in 1706; a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 alongside Jesús de Tavarangüe, with two on-site museums and a nightly light-and-sound show.

Catedral Metropolitana Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

Catedral, Asunción

Seat of the first diocese of the Río de la Plata; neoclassical cathedral blessed in 1845, with a silver-clad main altar, visited by Popes John Paul II (1988) and Francis (2015).

Palacio de López

Asunción

Seat of the Paraguayan Executive branch since 1894; neoclassical mansion begun in 1857 for Francisco Solano López, bombarded during the War of the Triple Alliance. Only the exterior can be visited.