Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0Lomas Valentinas e Itá Ybaté
The fortified hills where, in December 1868, the decisive battle of the Pikysyry campaign was fought.
What it is
Lomas Valentinas is a set of defences built by the Paraguayan army on two hills, Itá Ybaté and Cumbarity, about 2 km north of the Pikysyry stream, in the Villeta area. There President Francisco Solano López concentrated his forces to face the allied offensive in one of the last great battles of the War of the Triple Alliance. Today the site is visited for its historical value and for the monument that recalls the battle. It is a place of memory: it is best visited with some prior reading or with local help.
What to see and do
- The battle monument
- The Itá Ybaté and Cumbarity hills
- The Pikysyry stream landscape
Did you know…?
Sources use Itá Ybaté and Lomas Valentinas as two names for the same position.
Figures for the combatants vary by author, so they should be taken with caution.
History
The fortifications were built between September and December 1868. Allied forces under the Marquis of Caxias attacked on 17 December and fought the battle of Itá Ybaté between 21 and 27 December; the Paraguayan positions were defeated and López escaped to continue the resistance for another year.
Tips
- It combines well with a visit to Villeta and its waterfront.
- Ask locally how to reach the monument; rural roads may be dirt.
Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: Dry days, cool mornings or late afternoons; 21–27 December for the anniversary.
Activities
Festivals and events here
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Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 5 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.