Itauguá
Ñandutí lace
Needle lace worked in wheels that mimic a spider's web: the crown jewel of Paraguayan handicrafts.
Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0Cities · Central · Greater Asunción and Lake Ypacaraí
Itauguá
Along Route PY02, Itauguá's roadside stalls are hung with tablecloths, blouses, earrings and even shoes made of ñandutí, the needle lace whose Guarani name means 'spiderweb', worked on frames in radiating circles. The Ñandutí Community Museum tells the story of the craft, and you can buy pieces directly from the lacemakers at the Artisans' Coordinating Association, in the municipal cultural center. The town center holds the church of Our Lady of the Rosary (1896-1908) and houses dating from the era of Dr. Francia.
34 km from Asunción · ≈ 35 min
Festivals
Oct→ Nov
National Ñandutí Festival
Folk music, dance and ñandutí lace in the town of weavers: two nights of competition for the Golden Ñandutí.
MusicItauguá, CentralFeatured7OctVirgen del Rosario · Itauguá
In the birthplace of ñandutí (Paraguay's delicate spiderweb lace): procession, arts festival, torín (Paraguayan-style bullfighting), asado a la estaca (meat roasted on stakes) and jineteada (bronc riding).
Patron saintItauguá, CentralFeaturedCrafts
Where to stay
Guesthouse
La Ferme Dulac
A countryside bed & breakfast at km 35.5 on the Areguá–Ypacaraí road, near the southern tip of the lake.
₲₲₲