Ulises Icardi · CC BY-SA 4.0Fortín Boquerón
Trenches, cemeteries and a museum where Paraguay's victory in the Chaco War began.
What it is
Here, among quebracho and samu'u trees, the first great battle of the Chaco War was fought. The museum gathers weapons, military objects, maps and photographs, and displays a Potez 25 TOE biplane from the Paraguayan air force. In front of it stands Hermann Guggiari's statue of the Paraguayan soldier. A trail follows the original trenches, a meter and a half deep, to the Paraguayan and Bolivian cemeteries: out in the sun and among the thorns, you feel firsthand how brutal that war was.
What to see and do
- Museum with the Potez 25 TOE aircraft and wartime weapons
- Trail through the original trenches
- Cemeteries of Paraguayan and Bolivian soldiers, with their great cross
- Statue of the Paraguayan soldier by Hermann Guggiari
- Hollowed-out samu'u trees used by snipers
Did you know…?
Some samu'u (bottle tree) trunks were hollowed out to hide snipers during the battle.
The site preserves a good part of the roughly 3,800 m of original defensive trenches.
September 29, the anniversary of the victory, is a national holiday and the fort often hosts commemorative ceremonies.
History
Bolivian troops occupied the fort in late July 1932. From September 9 to 29, 1932, the Paraguayan army besieged and retook it in the Battle of Boquerón, known as the “20-day battle” or the “school battle.” It was the first decisive action of the war (1932-1935) and left more than a thousand casualties between the two armies. Ever since, September 29 has been a national holiday in Paraguay.
Tips
- Admission is free (a tip for the caretaker is appreciated); call ahead or let the Neuland or Filadelfia tourist office know, to make sure the museum is open.
- Bring water, a hat and closed shoes: the trail is hot and lined with thorny plants.
- Best with a guide; the last stretch of road is dirt and gets tricky after rain.
Opening hours vary: sources mention daily opening or Wednesday to Sunday, morning to afternoon. Call ahead (+595 984 730 261). Free admission (check before you go).
Best time: May to September, early in the morning. September 29, the Boquerón Victory holiday, carries special symbolic weight.
Activities
Nearby
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Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 6 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.