Biblioteca Nacional del Paraguay
The country's public library, founded in 1887, with documents and newspapers going back to the 18th century.
What it is
The National Library keeps books, records, gazettes, yearbooks, magazines and newspapers documenting Paraguay's political, social and cultural life. Its holdings include material from 1752, and newspapers from 1842 to 1900 are microfilmed and digitised. It is open to the public Monday to Saturday, with reading-room consultation and lending. It works in a building on De la Residenta street, occupied since 1959. Between 2009 and 2012 it went through a modernisation process. It is a useful stop if you are interested in research, or simply in seeing one of the places where the country's written memory is kept.
What to see and do
- Newspaper archive with digitised historic dailies
- Books and records from 1752
- Reading-room consultation open to the public
Did you know…?
Until 1991 it shared its direction with the National Museum and Archive.
History
It was created on 21 September 1887 by decree of President Patricio Escobar. Between 1903 and 1991 it was merged with the National Museum and Archive under a single director; since 1991 it has operated independently within the National Secretariat of Culture.
Tips
- If you need specific material, ask beforehand which ID is required.
- It is a study space, so keep quiet.
Monday to Saturday according to Wikipedia. Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: Monday to Saturday mornings.
Activities
Festivals and events here
International Jazz Day in Asunción
Jazz concerts at cultural centers and stages around the capital to celebrate the genre’s world day.
MusicAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)May→ JunAsunción International Book Fair (FIL)
Ten days of books, authors and language: the country’s great literary festival, with free entry and a guest country.
CulturalAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)FeaturedMayIndependence Days (May 14 and 15)
Two public holidays for the 1811 independence: flags, ceremonies, sopa paraguaya and chipa guasu all over the country.
CulturalAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)AugAugust 1: National Carrulim Day
On the first day of August people drink carrulim—cane liquor, rue and lemon—to ward off the ills of the most dreaded month.
TraditionAsunción y todo el país, VariosAugAugust 15: Founding of Asunción and Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption
The birthday of the Mother of Cities coincides with the feast of its patron saint: Mass at the Cathedral, a public holiday and cultural events.
ReligiousAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)FeaturedNearby
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Museo de la Justicia y Archivos del Terror
The Stroessner-era police archive, found in 1992 and recognised by UNESCO, now kept in Asunción.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Barrio Loma San Jerónimo
Asunción's first official tourist neighborhood: colorful little houses, stairways, murals and home cooking on a hill by the river.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Templo Masónico de la calle Palma
An early 20th-century building on Calle Palma, open to the public since 2009 and restored in 2018.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Centro Cultural de la Ciudad Manzana de la Rivera y Casa Viola
An entire block of historic houses facing the Palace, including Casa Viola, the oldest in Asunción.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Palacio de López (Palacio de Gobierno)
The palace Carlos Antonio López had built for his son, now the seat of the executive branch overlooking the bay.
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Iglesia de la Encarnación
A monumental, unfinished church on a downtown hill, with a dome, a pipe organ and a museum devoted to Pope Francis.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.