Asunción aka: Asuncion

Like most third world cities, the division between the rich and the poor are very apparent. I spent about a week in Paraguay, which included four days in Asunción.

Everything is ridiculously cheap, but other than that there isn’t much to see/do except live like the locals (which doesn’t cost much). I’m torn of whether or not I’d recommend Asunción as a place is a must see, but it’s definitely one of those places that not a lot of people can claim to have been.

The building was opened in 1889 thanks to the colaboration of the Catalan businessman Mr. Baudilio Alio. From 1939 onwards, the theatre has been under the Municipality of Asuncion management.

Several companies offering zarzuelas, operas and other performances have been playing during these years. From 1997 to 2006, the theatre has been through a process of restoration work. It has been recently reinaugurated, and since then, it offers several performances and a beautiful cafeteria with lots of memorabilia.

For calendar of events check: http://www.mca.gov.py/i_cultura/agenda.htm

The building is also consacrated to Our Lady of Asuncion (festivity August, 15th). Construction work began in 1864 by the italian architect Alessandro Ravizza. During the Triple Alianza War, this project (as others in Asuncion, eg. Palacio de Gobierno) was interrupted. It was finally inaugurated in 1936 as both Oratory and National Pantheon.

It marks the 0 km for all destinations in Paraguay. And it is also considered a central meeting point for crowds celabrating any important issue (such as futboll victories :).

Just opposite, it is the famous Lido Bar with 1970s decoration and great delicacies such as empanadas (pastries), croquetas and other snacks. The place is really popular with locals!

The Government Palace (Mcal Lopez between Ayolas and O’leary) Neoclassical building by Alonso Taylor. Construction work began on the 1860s, but it was only finished after the Triple Alliance War. For best views, go to opposite Cafe Viola in the Manzana de la Rivera.

Also, go along to the Paraguay River shore, appreciate the back of the building and explore the Humaita Battleship converted into Naval Museum (free entrance). Built in Genova, Italy (1930) the battleship anti aerial weapons kept the Bolivian air force on check during the Chaco War 1932-35. Opening times: Monday-Fridays 8-11.30AM and 2-6PM. Also Saturdays and Sundays from 8 til 6PM.

Manzana de la Rivera: (129 Ayolas between Benjamin Constant and Mariscal Lopez) Historic quarter with several houses (9) dating back from sXIX and early sXX. Casa Viola for instance, from 1750-1758 in the Spanish colonial style. Nowadays, it host the City’s Memory Museum, with texts, maps, objects, paints and day to day objects which shows the urban lifestyle. Opening times: Monday-Fridays 8AM til 9PM. Saturdays and Sundays 10AM til 7PM. Casa Clari, later development bosts an Art Nouveau style and offers an Art Gallery and a cafe with superb views of opposite Government Palace (night lights). Casa Castelvi (from 1804) colonial style with original features such as doors, windows and floor. This house serves as an events’ space and offers recreational activities for children. Casa Ballario contains an image resource centre with videos and photographs.

Independence House: (14 de Mayo and Presidente Franco) A 1772 building hosting a museum conmmemorating the Paraguayan Independence. Interesting paints, furniture and objects. It belonged to the Martinez Saenz family, and it was here where Paraguayan patriots plotted the National independence.

Panteon de los Heroes: (Palma and Chile) Also Oratory of Our Lady of Asuncion. Burial site for Paraguayan patriots. It resembles the Invalides in Paris. Free entrance.

Museo del Cabildo: Former Town House (Avda. República between Chile and Alberdi). Pascual Urdapilleta (1842) mixed a neoclassical style on the fachade with colonial style for the corridor and sides of the building. You can also visit the new Parlament building just next to the Cabildo. Opening times: Monday-Fridays 7AM til 7PM. Saturdays and Sundays 10AM til 5PM.

Cathedral: (Independencia Nacional and Mariscal López) From 1650s, it features a central navel and two side ones. The altar is covered in silver, and it is consagrated to Our Lady of Asuncion.

Visit also the Museo Juan Sinforiano Bogarín (Comuneros and Yegros) Former prision from the Dr. Rodriguez de Francia period (Yo, el Supremo). Jessuitic and Franciscan art on display. Entrance fee USD 0.40. Opening times: Monday-Saturdays from 8AM til 11AM.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: (Mcal. Estigarribia and Iturbe) Paraguayan art collection and temporal exhibitions of international artists. Opening times: Monday-Fridays 7AM til 7PM, and Saturdays 7 til 12AM.

Museo Etnografico Andres Barbero: (217 Av. Espana and Mompox) The Guaranis once florished all along Paraguay, Brazil, and northern Argentina. This museum, opened in 1929, hosts a colection of objects, ceramics, weapons, musical instruments and Multimedia about the life and remains of the Guarani nation. Opening times: Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5,30PM.

Estación Central de Ferrocarril: Tourist information centre (Eligio Ayala and México) Mixed of European and local style. In the opposite plaza Uruguaya, you can wonder around traditional Paraguayan lapachos/Tajy and enjoy an explosion of colours in spring and summer time. These trees traditionally have either pink, yellow or white flowers. However, it’s unlikely that you will find them with different colours one next to the other (trees’ reproduction issues). Go to plaza Uruguaya also if you would like to try the terere a traditional Paraguayan beverage to keep the warm weather on check. It is like cold green tea drinked from a glass with a straw/filter called bombilla. In Plaza Uruguaya you will find lots of stalls “renting” terere. Ask for a mix of herbs for flavour. It can be mint ~(menta), cedron, etc.

Iglesia de la Encarnacion: (Haedo and 14 de Mayo) One of the nicest church in Asuncion. The original church was rebuild after a fire in 1889 by Giovanni Colombo an Italian immigrant who offered his services free of charge under conditions that he was to chose the best materials. It offers a superbs views and a Romanic – Corinthian style as it is located on top of a hill. Three navels and a cupola with paints reflecting the Passion of Christ. Visits from 8-11AM and 4-6PM. It is often used as a venue for concerts.

The Port and La Recova: (Colon between Benjamin Constant and Presidente Franco) Good place for shopping traditional handicrafts and textiles such as ao’poi, nanduti, hammocs, etc.

Beware that the zone is mainly commercial with shops and office buildings so it’s empty on Sundays or weekdays after 7PM. If you are looking for night life, the best pubs and nightclubs are located in downtown Villa Morra. Try Coyote or El Santo (both nightclubs) or Galleria Colonial (Av. Espana and San Rafael) for pubs.

I COMEAND GO EVERYNOWANDTHEN. THIS IS BY FARTHEBESTPLACE TO GO OUTANDHAVEFUN. YOUCAN BE THEBILLGATESYOULLNEVER BE BACKHOMESINCEEVERYTHING IS SOOCHEAP. I WENT TO THISDEPARTMENTSTORECALLEDUNICENTROANDBOUGHTUPSCALEFASHIONFOR A FEWBUCKS.

THENIGHTLIFE IS AWESOMEANDTHEPPLARESOOWARM, NICEANDHOTT. EVERYONE IS CUTEANDHOT; YOUSHOULDDEFCOMEANDCHECKTHISHIDDENJEWEL