If you are a... and other Paraguay Off The Beaten Path Tips

If you are a history/art/religion bluff, try to make a tour visiting the churches or ruins from the jesuits and other religious orders. Paraguay was probably the place of the first modern utopia. The 'reducciones guraniticas' were places where the missionaries teached indians crafts, music and other jobs. The missions were so powerful economically that challenged the power of either portuguese or spanish empires. They were finally expelled from these countries and their possesions. Many of the missions were destroyed to various degrees but still there are churches in the country that show the influence of the missions in the country.
One of these is in the town of Yaguaron (about 45-60 min drive off Asuncion). Inside a very basic building, there are many wonderful carvings from the 17-18th century, most of them done by indians. Even the doors are works of art. The pulpit and the confesionaries have also golden motives. I believe is a nice way to enjoy an afternoon in Paraguay.

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About 45 min out of Asuncion there is a small town called Yaguaron. Just by the main road you can see an old, colonial Franciscan church. The most important feature is the fact of many amerindian arts and crafts. The guarani indians became famous for his musical instruments and religious wooden carves. The church is full of them. The doors, the altar, the pulpit and the wonderful huge crucifix at the entrance.
The tower is actually a wooden structure, almost like an observation post with a bell hanging from the roof. Everything transports you to the age of "The Mission"

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Villarrica, is called "la ciudad andariega" or the Walking City because the location of the city has changed seven times since its original foundation in 1570. The city suffered the attack of bandeirantes, potuguese/brazilean bandits and the citizens changed the location of town several times. Today is a college city, particularly the school of medicine. Contrary to other cities in Paraguay, the downtown area is a bit of the main road and can be confusing to reach.
The cathedral dates from 1873 but the bells are actually a century older, from 1781 and made in Milan, Italy. The city has several old mansions, some of them private homes and other occupied by private or public institutions. The Ykuapyta park provides a place to relax. The nearby hills provide a place to practice several adventure or extreme sports

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