Fortín Isla Po'i (Museo Ruta Chaco Boreal)
The great Paraguayan headquarters of the Chaco War, now an interactive museum and the cemetery of those who fell at Boquerón.
What it is
Isla Po'i was the Paraguayan army's strategic rearguard: troops set out from here for Boquerón, and this is where the then Lieutenant Colonel José Félix Estigarribia had his command post. Today it houses the interactive museum “Ruta Chaco Boreal,” promoted by SENATUR, which explains the conflict in an accessible way, as well as the Paraguayan cemetery where combatants from the war are buried. It's one of the best-preserved war sites and one of the easiest to visit from the colonies.
What to see and do
- The Ruta Chaco Boreal interactive museum
- Isla Po'i cemetery, where Captain Basilio Serebriakoff is buried
- Site of Estigarribia's command post
- Easy to combine in a day with Loma Plata and Laguna Capitán
Did you know…?
Its cemetery holds the grave of engineer captain Basilio Serebriakoff, a Russian citizen who joined the Paraguayan Army during the Chaco War.
Its museum is part of the “Ruta Chaco Boreal,” SENATUR's initiative to showcase the heritage of the Chaco War.
History
The fort was founded on January 1, 1927 by Captain Tranquilino Ortiz Cabral under the name Cacique Ramón; it was later renamed Isla Po'i and was also known as Villa Militar. During the Chaco War (1932-1935) it was the main assembly point for Paraguayan troops and the site of Estigarribia's command post.
Tips
- Check opening hours before you go (contact: 0981 237 905); access is by dirt road.
- Pair your visit with the Menno Colony Museum in Loma Plata.
Ask about opening hours (check before you go).
Best time: Year-round, ideally May to September and in the cooler hours; avoid rainy days because of the dirt road.
Activities
Nearby
Colonia Menno (distrito Teniente Irala Fernández) · Presidente Hayes
Laguna Capitán y lagunas saladas del Chaco Central
Salt lagoons deep in the Chaco where flamingos, coscoroba swans and hundreds of waterbirds spend the winter.
Loma Plata · Boquerón
Loma Plata (Colonia Menno)
The oldest Mennonite colony in the Chaco, birthplace of Trébol dairy and of the big livestock fairs.
Filadelfia (desvío a Filadelfia) · Boquerón
Centro de Interpretación del Gran Chaco Americano (CIGCHA)
The best introduction to the Chaco: history, wildlife and Indigenous peoples in a bioclimatic building ringed by samu'u trees, with SENATUR tourist information.
Filadelfia · Boquerón
Filadelfia (Colonia Fernheim)
The Mennonite capital of the Chaco: wide streets, pioneer and cooperative museums, and the best base for exploring the region.
Boquerón (Neuland) · Boquerón
Fortín Boquerón
Trenches, cemeteries and a museum where Paraguay's victory in the Chaco War began.
Neuland · Boquerón
Neuland (distrito de Boquerón)
The youngest of the Mennonite colonies: a pioneer museum, preserved native forest and the gateway to Fortín Boquerón.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 4 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.