Casalin c · CC BY-SA 4.0

Centro Cultural de la Ciudad Manzana de la Rivera y Casa Viola

Museum

An entire block of historic houses facing the Palace, including Casa Viola, the oldest in Asunción.

in Asunción

1–2 hoursDuration

₲₲₲Budget or free

DirectionsSee on map

What it is

Right across from the Palacio de López, a full city block of restored houses from different eras — from colonial to Art Nouveau — serves as a municipal cultural center. Casa Viola, with its gabled tile roof and wooden beams, is the jewel of the complex and houses the Museo Memoria de la Ciudad, whose maps, photos and objects tell how Asunción grew. The block is also home to the Paraguayan Harp Museum, the José Asunción Flores Museum, the Augusto Roa Bastos Municipal Library, exhibition halls and an auditorium. Its inner courtyards are an oasis of shade in the middle of downtown.

What to see and do

Casa Viola and the Museo Memoria de la Ciudad
The Paraguayan Harp Museum and the museum honoring José Asunción Flores, creator of the guarania (Paraguay's slow, melancholic song form)
Restored inner courtyards and galleries
The view of the Palacio de López from the sidewalk

Did you know…?

It brings together eight houses in very different styles — colonial, neoclassical and Art Nouveau — on a single block.

The Paraguayan Harp Museum pays tribute to the instrument that became the symbol of the nation's music.

The municipal library here is named after Augusto Roa Bastos, winner of the 1989 Cervantes Prize.

History

Casa Viola dates from 1750–1758 and is the oldest building in the complex; Casa Castelví is from 1804, and the neoclassical Casa Ballario from 1901. Saved from demolition, the complex was restored from 1991 on the City's initiative, with artist Carlos Colombino as its first director; the last house opened in June 1996. The Federico García Lorca auditorium was inaugurated in 1999.

Tips

Generous hours: Monday to Friday 8:00–19:00; Saturdays and Sundays 9:00–18:00 (the Harp and Flores museums open Monday to Friday only, until 16:00).
Check the program: there are often exhibitions, concerts and workshops.
A good stop to escape the heat between the Palace and the Costanera.

Monday to Friday 8:00–19:00; Saturdays and Sundays 9:00–18:00 (check before you go).

Best time: Year-round; ideally combined with sunset in front of the Palace.

Activities

Museums Guided tour Photography Workshops History & missions Living culture Crafts

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