Iglesia de San Roque

Church

One of Asunción's oldest parishes, with roots in 1606, next to Plaza Uruguaya.

in Asunción

30 minutesDuration

What it is

San Roque church is in the neighbourhood of the same name, near Plaza Uruguaya, and is still an active Catholic church. The current building is modern, from 1983, but behind it lie more than four centuries of history. It is one of the seven downtown churches that make up the traditional Holy Week route. Its history comes in stages: a first wooden chapel in 1606, the Franciscan rebuilding of 1781, an Italian-style version inaugurated on 20 May 1853, and the current building, inaugurated on 4 September 1983.

What to see and do

A church with roots going back to 1606
Its role in the Seven Churches Holy Week route
Its closeness to Plaza Uruguaya and the old Central Station

Did you know…?

It is one of the seven churches on the traditional Holy Week route through the centre.

It once resembled the Cathedral and La Recoleta: its 1853 version had Italian-style architecture.

History

The first church, of 1606, was built for indigenous women during Hernandarias's government. In 1735 it passed to the Franciscans. Carlos Antonio López was baptised there in 1793, and during the War of the Triple Alliance it served as a hospital. The 19th-century building was demolished on 22 August 1969 because of its deterioration.

Tips

Respect mass times and enter quietly.
Take the chance to walk around Plaza Uruguaya and the Central Station, a few blocks away.

Check opening hours before you go. Hours depend on mass times.

Best time: Holy Week, to see the Seven Churches tradition.

Activities

Photography Faith & pilgrimage History & missions

Festivals and events here

Apr

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→ Jun

Asunción 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)Featured May

Independence 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)Aug

August 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, Varios Aug

August 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)Featured