%cbPalacio de Gobierno, Asunción%c* and other Paraguay Things to Do Tips

Palacio de Gobierno, Asunción

by iwys , 3 more photos

Paraguay's neoclassical government palace, the Palacio de Gobierno, is the only grand building in Asunción It was constructed between 1860-1892, and owned by the Lopez family. It puts the rest of the poverty-stricken city in the shade.

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Address: El Paraguayo Independiente&Ayolas, Asuncion

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Things To Do: Ciudad del Este

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Written by iwys

on Aug 30, 2008

Ciudad del Este

by iwys , 4 more photos

Ciudad del Este, formerly known as Puerto Presidente Stroessner, is a bustling border town and river port, which has become the main centre for buying duty free electrical goods, not only for Paraguayans, but for Brazilians and Argentinians as well.

Ciudad del Este generates about 60% of Paraguay's total GDP, and it is one of the largest tax-free commercial zones in the world. It's economy is booming so much that it now looks much richer and grander than the capital city of Asunción. Modern skyscrapers full of shopping malls are separated by alleyways packed with market stalls. The city is linked to the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu by the Friendship Bridge and most foreign visitors come here as a side trip before or after visiting Iguaçu Falls.

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Things To Do: Centro Cultural Manzana de la Rivera

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Written by iwys

on Aug 30, 2008

by iwys , 4 more photos

This is a group of colonial houses, which have been restored to perfect condition and are now used for various cultural activities. The Casas de la Manzana are: Casa Viola, Casa Clari, Casa Clari-Mestre, Casa Vertúa, Casa Emasa, Casa Castelví, Casa Serra I, Casa Serra II and Casa Ballario. Asunción's city museum, the Museo Memoria de la Ciudad, is in the oldest one, Casa Viola, which dates from 1750. Most of the others are only just over a hundred years old. There is also a restaurant, with a terrace overlooking the Palacio de Gobierno.

The houses offer a pleasant refuge from the poverty and squalor of downtown Asunción, but they are nowhere near as old and interesting as the colonial houses in some other South American cities, such as Cuzco and Paraty.

Opening hours: 9am-5pm

Admission free

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Phone: 442 448
Address: Ayolas 129, Asunción
Website: http://museo.mca.gov.py/inicio.php

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Things To Do: Catedral Metropolitana, Asunción

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Written by iwys

on Aug 30, 2008

Catedral Metropolitana, Asunción

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Catedral Metropolitana, Asunción's main cathedral, was built in the nineteenth century. Admssion is free.

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Directions: Plaza Constitucion

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Things To Do: Casa de la Independencia

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Written by iwys

on Aug 30, 2008

Casa de la Independencia

by iwys , 1 more photos

Casa de la Independencia, built in 1772, is said to be Asunción's oldest building. This puzzles me somewhat as Casa Viola at Casas de Manzana was built in 1750. Maybe it's because the latter has largely been rebuilt whereas Casa de la Independencia is still in its original state. It is a modest whitewashed building with a tiled roof. It takes its name from the fact that in 1811 the Paraguayan declaration of independence took place here.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-6.30pm, Sat8am-12.30pm

Admission free

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Directions: On Calle 14 de Mayo

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Things To Do: El Cabildo, Asunción

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Written by iwys

on Aug 30, 2008

El Cabildo, Asunción

by iwys