City Orientation Walk

Transcription

1 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 - City Orientation Walk Sitting on the bank of the Paraguay river, the capital of Paraguay Asunción is a beautiful city, well worth being explored. Local attractions are plentiful and include, among others, numerous sites of colonial and modern architecture, such as the López Palace - seat of the local government, theaters, plazas, museums and more. To see them all, follow this orientation walk and enjoy! Guide Location: Paraguay» Asuncion # of Attractions: 15 Tour Duration: 2 hour(s) Travel Distance: 3.1 km Please note: This walk is also featured in the ios app "GPSmyCity: Walks and Articles with Offline Maps" on itunes App Store and the Android app "Asuncion Map and Walks" on Google Play. The apps provide GPS navigation to guide you from one tour stop to the next, so you will never be lost. The apps offer additional walking tours in Asuncion. Check them out! GPSmyCity offers self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 city around the world. Please visit gpsmycity.com for more walking tour offers. List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour: A) Puerto de Asuncion B) Casa Viola C) Palacio de los López D) Manzana de la Rivera E) Casa Castelvi F) Independence House G) Casa de los Diputados H) Palacio Legislativo I) El Cabildo J) Catedral Metropolitana K) Teatro Municipal Ignacio Pane L) Hotel Guarani M) Museo de Bellas Artes N) Edificio Aurora O) Plaza Uruguaya Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 -

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3 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 - A) Puerto de Asuncion Located along the river, Puerto de Asuncion is river terminal that serves as a transportation center for most of the freight entering or leaving the country. Although the port was originally privately owned, the government has possessed it since While port areas in cities around the world have the reputation of being dangerous places to visit, Asuncion's port is relatively quiet and safe. Here you can admire the magnificent La Bahia de Asuncion and many other colonial houses. Address: Avenida Republica, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Flickr and kloncy B) Casa Viola (must see) The Viola House is a typical colonial construction dated from Its location relates to the layout of the streets before Doctor Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia squared the city. The house has a tile roof. There is a gallery in front; behind the gallery there is a blacksmith s shop built over wooden beams and columns. Previously, the house had three big rooms, now there s only one, located in Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 -

4 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 - front. In the back part there is a passing gallery, as a sample of the culata yovai, a type of antique Paraguayan house. The roof of the gallery is made of palm and tacuara; the tiles are set with a mud kind of cement. Nowadays it houses the Museo Memoria de la Ciudad, a museum in commemoration of the city, and exhibits texts, maps, objects, paints, graphics, as well as other elements that tell the history of Asunción, since its foundation until modern times. "(The above description is based on Wikipedia under Creative Common License)" Address: Ayolas and Benjamin Constant, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Flickr and gilooo. Sight description based on wikipedia C) Palacio de los López (must see) Situated in the town plaza overlooking Asuncion Bay, Palacio de los López is one of the most beautiful and imposing buildings in the city. Built in 1772 and completed in 1892, it was designed in the Neo-classical style. It has wide staircases, verandas, and continuous arches that loop all the way around the top floor balcony. The main body of the palace is flanked by two wings that form a squared U shape. At the center of the palace, a lookout tower soars two stories above the roof. Address: El Paraguayo Independiente and Ayolas, Asunción, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Flickr and lett -/\= D) Manzana de la Rivera In a model for urban planners everywhere, the city of Asunción combined this manzana (block) of nine historic houses near the river into a pleasing cultural center. The oldest of these, the 1764 Casa Viola, the name by which many Asunceños refer to the complex, serves as a small city museum called the Museo Memoria de la Ciudad. The Casa Emasa, once a customs office, now houses La Galería, the center's art gallery. The 1914 art nouveau Casa Clari, the newest house, is the complex's café. Address: 129, Ayolas, Asuncion, Paraguay Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 -

5 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 - Image Courtesy of Flickr and Rozhi0 E) Casa Castelvi Previously known as the Casa Serra, the Castelvi House is a building from the year 1804, and was still built within the colonial system. The house was built by the Catalonian José Castelvi, who was Asuncion s vice mayor. It has the original doors, windows, window bars, and one of the floors. It s a pre-franciscan house, located 15 mts from the street; it has an external garden that forms part of the urban zone. Nowadays there are two exhibition rooms: Juan A. Samudio and Domingo Martínez de Irala. There is also a playroom for the kids. In the garden of the house is named Patio Arecayá in commemoration of the Arecayá Indian rebellion, and is used for various outside activities. "(The above description is based on Wikipedia under Creative Common License)" Address: Benjamin Constant and J.E. Oleary, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Casalin c. Sight description based on wikipedia F) Independence House (must see) Situated on the corner of Presidente Franco and 14 de Mayo Avenues, Independence House is the town's oldest edifice. It is a national landmark, which has great historical significance. Built in 1772, it was designed in the Colonial style, with a thatched roof, bamboo framework, and walls made of adobe brick. Since 1965, it has housed a small museum, which displays furniture, old coins, and documents that provide a glimpse into Asuncion's past. Address: 14 de Mayo and Presidente Franco, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Flickr and Ever Daniel Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 -

6 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 - G) Casa de los Diputados (must see) Once a military school and museum, Casa de los Diputados is now a popular tourist attraction. The house was transformed from a military museum into an important cultural center. Today this beautiful Neo-classical building houses offices for members of Congress. From historic buildings to restaurants, entertainment venues to shopping areas, you can find all this and more near Casa de los Diputados. Address: 14 de Mayo and El Paraguayo Independiente, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Flickr and Luigi Crespo H) Palacio Legislativo (must see) Located in the historic center of Asuncion, Palacio Legislativo is the only post-modern building in the city. Opened in 2003, architect Gaetano Moretti designed the building. The structural form of the building is often compared to a truncated cone. The palace houses the boardrooms of Congress, the House of Representatives and VIP rooms. The Main Hall is one of the most significant areas of the building and serves as a venue for cultural events and activities, including permanent exhibitions of art. The downtown area of Asunción can be seen from the terrace of Palacio Legislativo. In addition to the view, the palace provides a great opportunity to learn more about the traditions and culture of Asuncion. Address: Plaza Independencia, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Roblespepe I) El Cabildo (must see) Situated along Asuncion's Independence Square, El Cabildo was used to house Parliament until Today it serves as a cultural center and features impressive collections that are centered around Paraguayan musicians and famous national figures in the field of literature, theater and dance. It also has a large library and art gallery and is a great place to learn about the history of the city. Address: Avenida Republica, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Jan Pešula Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 -

7 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 - J) Catedral Metropolitana (must see) Originally built in 1687, Catedral Metropolitana was reconstructed in the middle of 19th century. Designed by architect Carlos Zucchi, the cathedral is noted for its huge golden altar and religious art. The cathedral's altar is decorated with Jesuit and Franciscan silver and is enchanting to the eye. Address: Plaza de la Independencia, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and FF MM K) Teatro Municipal Ignacio Pane (must see) Located in the center of the city, Teatro Municipal Ignacio Pane is a modern-style theater with beautiful architecture. Built in 1843 under the consulate of Don Carlos Lopez, it can accommodate 700 people. It is a popular venue for opera, ballet, and other performing arts. From 1997 to 2006, the theater underwent an extensive renovation project. It has since re-opened and is once again at the center of Asuncion's cultural scene. Address: Presidente Franco and Alberdi, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Patty P L) Hotel Guarani (must see) Built in 1961, Hotel Guarani occupies an entire city block. It is located in the heart of the administrative, legal and commercial part of town. The hotel is considered a symbol of Asuncion and South America. It was the first five-star hotel in Asuncion and for many years was the main point of reference when navigating the city. The hotel was renovated in 2008 and today has a crisp modern look that still pays tribute to its original 1960s design. Address: Oliva and Nuestra Senora, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Felipe Antonio Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 -

8 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 - M) Museo de Bellas Artes (must see) The National Museum of Bellas Artes, located on Mcal. Estigarribia and Iturbe St. in Asuncion, displays over 650 works of art, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, photographs, Paraguayan and international artists. As well as antique coins, furniture and various objects that belonged to its creator. It was founded in 1909 by the collector Silvano Godoy, first director general of Museums and archives Paraguay. In 1939, the institution was formalized by the State as National Museum of Bellas Artes. The works acquired by Juan Silvano Godoi come from artists of the 17th century, Italian and French half of 19th century, creators of Argentines who acquired some significance in subsequent decades and, of course, a whole generation of painters Paraguayans: Andres Campos Cervera, Carlos Colombino, Juan Samudio, Jaime Bestard, Holden Roberto Jara, Pablo Alborno, Modesto Delgado Rodas and Ignacio Núñez Soler, representatives of a school still in its infancy, but vibrant forces and energies. "(The above description is based on Wikipedia under Creative Common License)" Address: Mariscal Estigarribia and Iturbe, Asunción, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Casalin c. Sight description based on wikipedia N) Edificio Aurora Located in the center of the city at the intersection of Caballero and Eligio Ayala Streets, Edificio Aurora stands 95.8 meters tall and has 27 floors. Opened in 1978, the Aurora was the tallest building in Paraguay during the 1980s. It is a residential apartment building, although the Headquarters of Migration is located on the ground floor. The building boasts a magnificent entrance and stunning foyer, as well as brightly-colored balconies. Address: Caballero and Eligio Ayala, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and FF MM Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 -

9 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 9 - O) Plaza Uruguaya (must see) Plaza Uruguaya is an interesting city park that provides a pleasant respite from the city's heat. A covered market that offers a great collection of Latin American literature is located within the park, as well as an old railway station, shuttered since the interruption of rail service years ago. In the terminal you can see a remarkable old steam locomotive, the Sapucaí, which is no longer in use. Visit the park to get a better sense of the true Asuncion. Address: Plaza Uruguaya, Asuncion, Paraguay Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Arthuro SantaCruz Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 9 -