The neoclassical facade
Twin towers.
Chipachyryry — CC0 · FF MM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Aiax2 — CC BY 4.0 · Diego Fernando Quint… — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Leandro Neumann Ciuffo — CC BY 2.0
The Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Catholic church of Asunción, in the heart of the historic centre of Paraguay's capital. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, the city's patron, and its diocese was the first in the Río de la Plata region, making it one of the city's oldest institutions even though the present building dates from the 19th century. The first church here was built of wood and clay in 1539 and burned down in 1543. It became a cathedral in 1548, then moved to the present site in 1689 after floods reshaped the riverside bluff. The present building was begun in 1842 under Carlos Antonio López, designed by the military architect Pascual Urdapilleta, and was blessed in 1845 before it was complete. The neoclassical facade stands out for its pale colour, pink lines and twin towers, and it is lit at night, making a fine sight on the square. Inside is a high altar clad in silver, according to the sources. Pope John Paul II visited in 1988 and Pope Francis in 2015. It is about 700 m in a straight line from the Palacio de López, so both fit a short walk around the historic centre. This is a place of worship, so dress modestly, enter quietly and do not walk around during mass. Pictures from the square look best at sunset and once the towers are lit. Opening times vary, so if the doors are shut, return shortly before a service.
Twin towers.
A fine sight on the square.
Near the Palacio de López.
Barrio Catedral, historic centre of Asunción
Casa de la IndependenciaA simple white colonial house from 1772, one of Asunción's oldest surviving buil5 minutes walk4.5
Palacio de LópezParaguay's seat of government, an elegant white palace on the Bay of Asunción, b9 minutes walk4.7
Costanera de AsunciónA modern promenade along the Bay of Asunción and the broad Paraguay River, runni10 minutes walk4.5Usually yes, but times depend on services, so dress modestly.
At sunset and once the towers are lit.