Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0Iglesia de la Virgen del Rosario de Itauguá
A neoclassical church built between 1896 and 1908, in the heart of the ñandutí capital.
What it is
The church of the Virgen del Rosario, patroness of Itauguá, is neoclassical and was built between 1896 and 1908. It dominates the town centre and is the natural starting point to explore Itauguá: right next to it is the San Rafael Parish Museum, and along the highway the ñandutí lace that made the town famous is offered. Itauguá was declared the ñandutí capital by Law 4591 of 2012.
What to see and do
- The neoclassical façade
- The San Rafael Parish Museum, next to the church
- Ñandutí for sale near the church
Did you know…?
The railway reached Itauguá in 1862, decades before the current church was finished.
History
Itauguá's conventional founding date is 1728, under Governor Martín de Barúa. In 1769 it became a sub-parish of Pirayú. The railway arrived on 27 March 1862.
Tips
- Respect mass times.
- October is the month of the patroness's festival.
- The patron saint festival takes place on the first Sunday of October, with masses and a procession; the parish sets the exact dates and times each year.
Check opening hours before you go. Hours depend on mass times.
Best time: Mornings; October for the festivities.
Activities
Festivals and events here
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, CentralFeaturedNearby
Itauguá · Central
Museo Parroquial San Rafael
A parish museum from 1964 in a colonial house, with Franciscan and Jesuit sacred art, Chaco War objects and a ñandutí room.
Itauguá · Central
Itauguá
The capital of ñandutí: handmade 'spiderweb' lace, sold right along Route PY02.
Itauguá · Central
Cerro Patiño (Ybytypané)
Itauguá's highest point, about 247 m, with forest tied to the Lake Ypacaraí ecosystem.
Ypacaraí · Central
Ypacaraí
The town that gave the lake its name and home of the Lake Festival, Paraguay's great showcase of folk culture.
Areguá · Central
Monumento Natural Cerros Kõi y Chororĩ
Five- and six-sided sandstone columns: a geological rarity with few equals anywhere in the world.
Areguá · Central
Areguá
Capital of pottery and strawberries, with historic mansions stepping down from the church to the lake.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 4 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.