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Paraguay is a quiet country by size, but full of history. It doesn’t have the tourist crowds of its neighbours, but that’s part of its charm. The historical places in Paraguay include old cathedrals, government buildings, and Jesuit ruins built from red stone. Some still host mass, some are part of protests, and others remain standing in remote towns where little else has changed. From Caacupé’s basilica to Trinidad’s carved arches, they are part of how Paraguay remembers its past without turning it into a museum.
Top Historical Places In Paraguay
The historical places in Paraguay are spread across cities to explore to dive deeper into the country’s past, the way locals live it today.
1. Jesuit Mission Of The Holy Trinity (Santísima Trinidad Del Paraná)
Photo: Maurice Chédel / Wikimedia Commons
This is one of the striking historical places in Paraguay, built in the early 1700s by Jesuit missionaries near Trinidad. It functioned as a self-contained settlement where thousands of Guaraní people lived, worked, and prayed. You can follow old pathways through stone corridors, walk into what’s left of the main temple. The craftsmanship is detailed and made entirely by hand using local red rock. Unlike many historical sites, this one is open for slow, self-guided exploration. You’re free to step through arches, stand at crumbled altars, and picture how it once looked with its wooden roof still in place.
How To Reach: 30 km northeast of Encarnación, reachable via Route 6 by bus, taxi or private car
Entry Fee: ₲25,000 / ₹260
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
Nearby Attractions: Jesús de Tavarangüe ruins, Encarnación waterfront, San Rafael National Park
2. National Pantheon Of Heroes
Photo: CivArmy / Wikimedia Commons
The historical places in Paraguay are often tied to war, and this one stands as a monument to the men who shaped the country during its most difficult years. It was first designed as a chapel in the 1860s, but construction stopped when the War of the Triple Alliance broke out. Years later, the building was completed and repurposed to house the remains of national heroes, including President Carlos Antonio López, Marshal Francisco Solano López, and soldiers buried without names. The interior is small but striking, with marble tombs, painted inscriptions, and a stained-glass dome.
How To Reach: Central Asunción, walking distance from most downtown hotels and Plaza de los Héroes
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Attractions: Casa de la Independencia, Palacio de los López, Metropolitan Cathedral
3. Jesuit Mission Of Jesús De Tavarangüe
Photo: Falk2 / Wikimedia Commons
This mission is one of the lesser-known historical places in Paraguay, but its unfinished church is among the largest stone structures. Located just a short drive from Trinidad, it was meant to be a grand cathedral. What stands today is a roofless but intact shell with thick stone walls, arched entrances, and a quiet interior that shows how far the mission had come before it was abandoned. The grounds are clean, open, and surrounded by trees and farmland.
How To Reach: 10 km from the Holy Trinity ruins; accessible by taxi or car via local road
Cost: ₲25,000 / ₹260
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
Nearby Attractions: Santísima Trinidad ruins, San Cosme y Damián (optional visit), Paraná River viewpoint
4. Palacio De Los López
Photo: Iwan / Wikimedia Commons
Built in the mid-19th century for Francisco Solano López. It stands as one of the key historical places in Paraguay, both for its architecture and political importance. The building combines European neoclassical design with Paraguayan materials, including stone from Emboscada and ironwork from Ybycuí. Its construction involved engineers and artists from abroad, which is why it has a more ornate look than most buildings in the capital. Many of Asunción’s important streets and institutions spread outward. Today it’s a symbol of state power, but it began as a family project tied to one of the country’s most complex leaders.
How To Reach: Located in Asunción’s historic centre near the riverfront; easily reached on foot or by bus
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Manzana de la Rivera, Pantheon of Heroes, Plaza de Armas
5. Centro Cultural Manzana De La Rivera
Photo: Cmasi / Wikimedia Commons
This restored cluster of houses shows how domestic life in Asunción looked over two centuries ago. Each section reflects a different architectural period, from colonial wooden beams to 20th-century brickwork. As one of the historical places in Paraguay, it offers more than exhibitions. Some rooms preserve original family layouts, while others host cultural archives, poetry readings, or city council meetings. The names of the houses, Viuda, Serra, and Clari, refer to their former owners, and inside you’ll find everyday items like iron beds, carved chairs, and religious images that belonged to middle-class families of the time.
How To Reach: In front of Palacio de los López; accessible on foot within downtown Asunción
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM (Mon-Sat)
Nearby Attractions: Casa de la Independencia, National Congress, Museum of the Cabildo
6. Metropolitan Cathedral Of Our Lady Of The Assumption
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
The cathedral has stood through fires, wars, and regime changes, but it remains at the centre of Asunción’s religious and civic life. Among the most visited historical places in Paraguay, its role goes beyond worship. The current structure, completed in the 1840s, replaced earlier chapels destroyed over time. The building’s design is simple, with a pale yellow front and arched wooden doors. The altar, covered in silver, was once removed and hidden during conflict to keep it safe from invading forces. The inside is peaceful, with rows of benches, carved confessionals, and statues that reflect the strong Catholic presence in Paraguay’s past.
How To Reach: Located near Plaza de Armas in central Asunción; easily walkable
Timings: 6.30 AM – 7 PM
Nearby Attractions: Casa de la Independencia, Palacio de los López, Pantheon of Heroes
7. International Friendship Bridge (Puente De La Amistad)
Photo: Liam King / Wikimedia Commons
The bridge connecting Ciudad del Este with Foz do Iguaçu is an important infrastructure project. It was completed in 1965 and gave the country direct access to Brazil, which opened up a vital route for trade and tourism. Though newer than other historical places in Paraguay, its political and economic role make it a landmark in its own right. Before the bridge, much of Paraguay remained isolated by road. This crossing over the Paraná River changed that. The structure is plain and built for function, but thousands use it every day on foot, by car, or by bus.
How To Reach: Connects Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) with Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil); accessible by car, taxi, or bus
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Itaipú Dam, Ciudad del Este shopping district, Monday Falls
8. Museo Del Barro
Photo: Alex Martinez / Wikimedia Commons
This museum in eastern Asunción is one of the few historical places in Paraguay that bridges pre-colonial, colonial, and modern culture under one roof. It began in the 1970s as a small collection of folk art and has since grown into a major cultural institution. The name, which means “Museum of Clay,” reflects the strong presence of indigenous ceramics, masks, and ritual pieces, many of which come from rural communities still active today. There are colonial religious carvings, military memorabilia, and a wide-ranging gallery of contemporary Paraguayan art.
How To Reach: Located in the eastern part of Asunción; 20–25 minutes from the city centre by taxi or bus
Cost: ₲10,000 / ₹100
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM (Wed-Sat)
Nearby Attractions: Ñu Guasu Park, Shopping del Sol, Paseo La Galería
9. Caacupé Cathedral (Basilica Of Our Lady Of Miracles)
Photo: Cathixx / Wikimedia Commons
In Caacupé, this basilica stands as a major religious site and one of the important historical places in Paraguay. Pilgrims from across the country travel here every year on 8 December for the Day of the Virgin, many arriving on foot. The statue inside, a small figure of the Virgin Mary dressed in blue, is believed to have saved a local man during a conflict, and devotion to her has grown ever since. The basilica is built on a circular plan, with a white dome rising above its wide entrance.
How To Reach: Located in Caacupé, 54 km from Asunción via Route 2; buses run frequently
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
Nearby Attractions: Cerro Caacupé viewpoint, local craft markets, historic pilgrimage sites
10. Casa De La Independencia, Asunción
Photo: Fernando Boccia / Wikimedia Commons
This small colonial house played a central role in Paraguay’s push for freedom, it is one of the most meaningful historical places in Paraguay. On the night of 14 May 1811, leaders of the independence movement met here to finalise their plans before confronting the Spanish governor. The house has been carefully restored, with clay tile roofing, thick adobe walls, and original furnishings still in place. Every item inside was chosen to reflect how the home looked during that week. The museum staff often explain the story to visitors in a straightforward, personal way.
How To Reach: Near Plaza Uruguaya, walkable from downtown hotels and landmarks
Timings: 7 AM – 6.30 PM (Mon-Sat), 9 AM – 12 PM (Sun)
Nearby Attractions: Pantheon of Heroes, Manzana de la Rivera, National Congress
From quiet chapels and riverside missions to landmarks that shaped national decisions, the historical places in Paraguay reflect a past that is still part of daily life. These are not just monuments behind glass. Whether you’re walking through the ruins at Trinidad or listening to footsteps echo inside the Independence House, you’re stepping into real history. Explore more such packages offered by TripXL and have unforgettable experiences.
Cover Photo: Diego Fernando Quint / Wikimedia Commons
