Big Power and other Paraguay Things to Do Tips

Located 14km north of Ciudad del Este, at the Brazilian-Paraguayan border and not far from Argentina and Iguassu Falls, the hydro-power complex of Itaipu is an engineering marvel. The volume of iron and steel utilized in the Dam structure would be enough to build 380 Eiffel Towers, and the volume of concrete used in Itaipú represents 15 times the volume utilized to build the Channel Tunnel between France and England. Itaipú alone responded for 25% of the energy supply in Brazil and 78% in Paraguay with zero emissions. A single building capable of providing electric power to most of the state of California. Construction was also an Herculean task. To buid the dam, it was necesary to shift the course of the Parana River (the seventh biggest river in the world by the way).
Guided tours including movies about the construction are available at either the Brazilian or the Paraguayan side in spanish, portuguse and english and as far as I remember it was free of any cost

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Address: North of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
Website: www.itaipu.gov.br/

The picture says it all. You cannot visit Paraguay without enjoying an "asado". There is a very important social component on it. I mean, any family gathering of any importance includes one. The paraguayan "parrilla" have both brazillian and argentinian influences. Important cuts include "Tapa de Cuadril" (my personal favorite), "Costilla", "Vacio", "Picaña" and many others. Don't forget your "chorizos" and "morcillas" (sausages). Sorry if your cholesterol is above 200, but it's worth it.

PS Every year, around July, there a national fair in Asuncion where all kinds of produce, crafts and meats are exhibited. This is the shocase for local exporters and the best of the best is brought including angus meats. Try to be there if you can!!

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Cathedrals built in big economic or strategic value spanish colonies such as Mexico and Peru are typically more complex and, in general, have been better preserved than others. The Metropilitan Cathedral of Asuncion is such an example. The current church was built over a preexisting 17th c. temple in 1842 and completed in 1860. Recently, polychromies from the early 19th c. have been discovered under coats and coats of paint. It does not compare to the much more complex and rich cathedrals of Lima or Mexico but in contrast, have a more intimate atmosphere.

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Phone: 021/449-512
Address: Plaza Independencia
Directions: Microcentro (Downtown)

The new building for the legislative branch of paraguayan power was completed in 2001. The cost of $20 million was one of the big controversies in a country troubled so much by povrety and corruption. Even worse, the builing is just a few hundred feet from "La chacarita" one of Asuncion slums. The design is modern, mixing it with older preexisting structures.

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Phone: 021/441-077
Address: Plaza Independencia
Directions: Microcentro (Downtown)

This building symbolizes all of paraguay virtues and mishaps. It mimics a small version of Paris "Les Invalides". Built in 1864, under the regime of Francisco Solano López, it was not completed until the late 1930's after the Chaco wars with Bolivia. The bodies of both Lopez (father and son) as well as Bernardino Caballero and mariscal Estigarribia and other notable political and military leaders rest inside. There's always a pair of young soldiers, dressed in 19th C. military clothes guarding the entrance. Despite the honor, it's quite a torture to be fully dressed while the temperature is 110 F (45 C) !!!

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Phone: No Phone
Address: Mariscal Estigarribia at Plaza de los Héroes
Directions: Downtown

Caacupe, the spiritual capital of Paraguay is about 30 miles west of Asuncion. The Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Caacupe was visited in 19 by pope John Paul II. This visit had a profound impact in the lives of many Paraguayans which are deeply catholic. The overthrow of the dictatorship of Gen. Stroessner who ruled Paraguay for more than 35 years is liked to the impact of this visit. The leyend said in the 1600's a guarani indian who was being persecuted by rivals in order to kill him seek refuge behind a tree and prayed to the Virgin Mary to help him and promise to carve a statue in her honor. The indian was saved and he fulfilled his promise carving two images, a large one for the church in nearby TObati and a smaller one for himself. This small image is the one venerated in Caacupe. There are many places to eat nearby but I personally do not like them. Vendors around the plaza sell candels and other religious stuff.
A visit of the basilica is a great short trip out of Asuncion

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Directions: Caacupe, Departamento de Cordillera

Overlooking the banks of the Paraguay River, the Palacio de Gobierno or Palacio de Lopez is the present seat of the government. Construction began in 1857 as residence of general Francisco Solano Lopez son of the then President of the Republic, Don Carlos Antonio Lopez conceived in a neoclassic style, exhibits a monumental structure with French-Latin lines. After the war of the Triple Alliance, the palace was abandoned and not completed until the late 19th century.

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Phone: 021/419-8220
Address: El Paraguayo Independiente and Ayolas
Directions: Downtown
Website: www.presidencia.gov.py/elpalacio.htm

This small museum is one of the few houses that survive from spanish colonial era in Asuncion. Most of colonial Asuncion was destroyed in the 19th century. The house where the Museum is located nowadays was built in 1772 by the Spanish settler Antonio Martínez Sáenz. The walls were constructed with adobe; with thatched roof and its framework was made of bamboo and palm wood. In 1811, precisely in the night of the May 14, a group of brave Paraguayans came out of this house to declare the independence of Paraguay.
The museum is divided into several rooms each with 18th and 19th century furniture and objects and well as important documents.

Cost: Free
Open: (Check first, they change schedules frequently) Mon.-Fri 7-6:30; Sat. 8-noon

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Address: 14 de Mayo at Presidente Franco