Asunción: Top 10

(continuer en français) – Last update: December 21, 2025

Founded on August 15, 1537, hence its name, the capital of Paraguay has an old, somewhat sleepy historic centre, while the suburbs continue to swell with the rural exodus. The district of Villa Morra represents the modernity between commercial buildings and shopping malls. However, visitors are mainly interested in the old town and its monuments.

01. Lopez Palace

Built in the first half of the 19th century, the presidential palace has gone through the vicissitudes of the country’s history, occupied or bombed during conflicts with its neighbours. There is no fence to isolate it from the street, security being ensured by the vigilance of the guards. In the evening, the palace is illuminated on both sides, the main façade overlooking the river.

02. The National Congress

This large modern building, ostensibly protected by the police, houses the parliament and illustrates the democratic revival after many years of dictatorship. The modern facade is actually attached to older buildings. The building overlooks the Plaza Mayor, where demonstrators traditionally gather, and where a fire was recently set.

03. The Cathedral

The present cathedral dates from the mid-19th century, following several successive constructions, replaced by larger churches in an updated style. It is the most important Catholic building in the country, where religious events are held, such as the visit of the pope who celebrated mass there. The altar is covered with wrought silver leaf.

04. Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor between the Cathedral and the Parliament has lost its rank as the main square to the Plaza de los Héroes, which is more popular today. The square is regularly occupied by demonstrators who set up long-term camps there in support of their demands, which degrades its appearance and accentuates its decline.

05. Plaza de los Héroes

The large square in the city centre is divided into four parts, each with a different personality and name. Commonly referred to the part occupied by the Panteón Nacional, built on the model of the Invalides church in Paris. The square is popular and used as the centre of most of the festivities held in the capital.

06. La Costanera

The road bypassing the city centre along the river looks like a coastal promenade. However, the beach between the road and the water suffers from a ban on swimming due to pollution. At the end of the day, it is particularly pleasant to come here to watch the sunset reflected in the waters of the river which has become a mirror.

07. The Casa de la Independencia

The House of Independence has retained its colonial architecture and the interior is furnished in the style of upper-class homes of the time. It was in this house that independence was fomented in 1811, with the insurgents using the alley at the back to go to the governor’s house. The museum allows visitors to immerse themselves in the history of the country.

08. La Tecnica

Under cover of a technical office, in this apparently modest house, opponents of the dictatorship were imprisoned and tortured, sometimes murdered. The rooms have been reinstated as they were and one of the cars used for the kidnappings is still parked in the courtyard. The museum is intended to be a memory of human rights abuses in order to prevent their reoccurrence.

09. El Cabildo

This large arcaded building was built on the site of the old town hall, hence its name, although it never occupied this function. It was first the seat of the government, then the seat of the national congress before being converted into a museum at the beginning of this century. The collections on display are quite diverse, seeking to reflect the history and art of the country.

10. Museo Memoria de la Ciudad

Several colonial houses form a labyrinthine ensemble where numerous works of contemporary art are exhibited, but above all objects illustrating the evolution of the city and the country. The architecture of the houses also shows the traditional construction methods, their preservation was at the origin of the project while a park was to replace them.

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