Asunción: Art, History and the Costanera

Asunción offers a range of starting points for a city break: public waterfront spaces, art, a long architectural history and a botanical and zoological site. If you’re looking for hotels in Asunción, considering your own interests can help you get a clearer picture of the city. The places featured here represent different sides of the destination. You can start by deciding whether the riverfront, art, history or wildlife is most important to you.

The Costanera and the art collection

The Costanera de Asunción is a public space along the banks of the Río Paraguay. This gives the riverfront a distinct place in the city, separate from a museum’s collections or the history of a single building. If public space by the water is an important part of your city break, the Costanera is one of the places to consider as you get your bearings.

The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes preserves a valuable collection of Paraguayan and international artworks from different periods and styles. Its focus is not on a single period or style; rather, the collection spans a range of artistic styles and time periods. It offers a clear point of interest in Asunción for travelers interested in art. Unlike the Costanera, the emphasis here is on the artworks themselves, not on a public space by the river.

Architectural history and remembrance in the city center

The Panteón Nacional de los Héroes is located in central Asunción. Construction began in 1863 at the initiative of then-president Francisco Solano López. The building was originally intended to be a temple dedicated to the Virgen de la Asunción. The effects of the War of the Triple Alliance delayed its completion until 1936.

Several milestones shape the history of the building: construction began under López, it was intended for a particular dedication, and it was completed later after a long delay. Among those laid to rest in the Panteón are Mariscal Francisco Solano López, President Carlos Antonio López, Mariscal José Félix Estigarribia and his wife Julia Miranda Cueto, the Niños Mártires de Acosta Ñu, and two unknown soldiers. For your trip planning, this offers a different historical focus from an art collection: here, the emphasis is on the building’s history and those laid to rest there.

Wildlife and gardens in Barrio Trinidad

The Jardín Botánico y Zoológico in Barrio Trinidad offers a different focus. The zoo is home to about 70 species of wild animals, including birds, mammals and reptiles. The grounds also include the country house of former president Carlos Antonio López. It is of significant heritage value and is part of the garden visit. This brings wildlife and a specific historic building together as distinct points of interest within the same garden complex.

Explore Asunción according to your interests

The places differ not only in their themes but also in the focus they can give your trip. The museum brings together Paraguayan and international art from different periods and styles; the Panteón connects the history of a single building with those laid to rest there. The Botanical Garden combines the zoo and the historic country house, while the Costanera represents public space along the river.

For an overview of the wider trip: Paraguay.