Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The country's first art collection, born of a collector's dream in 1909.
What it is
A small, free museum that traces Paraguayan painting from the 19th century on: landscapes, portraits and scenes by artists such as Pablo Alborno, Andrés Campos Cervera, Juan Samudio, Modesto Delgado Rodas and Ignacio Núñez Soler, alongside European works from the 17th to 19th centuries gathered by its founder. Standouts include Miguel Acevedo's satirical drawings of Asunción's belle époque. Beyond the permanent collection there are temporary exhibitions, and you can see it all in an unhurried hour or two.
What to see and do
- Paraguayan painting from the late 19th and early 20th centuries
- Miguel Acevedo's satirical drawings
- European works from the Godoy collection
- Temporary exhibitions
Did you know…?
It holds a series of 57 original drawings by Miguel Acevedo, considered one of its treasures.
Godoy was also Paraguay's first Director General of Museums and Archives.
It displays more than 80 works and keeps around 650 in storage.
History
It was founded in 1909 by politician and collector Juan Silvano Godoy, who during his years in exile gathered European and Río de la Plata paintings and sculptures with the aim of bequeathing them to the nation; the State made the Godoy Museum official as the National Museum of Fine Arts in 1939. Until 2011 it was housed in the National Archives building; today it occupies its own premises on Calle Eligio Ayala.
Tips
- Free admission; closed Sundays and Mondays.
- Combine it with the Andrés Barbero Ethnographic Museum and the Central Station, a few blocks away.
- Check its social media for temporary exhibitions before you go.
Tuesday to Friday 7:00–18:00 and Saturdays 8:00–14:00 according to SENATUR (ABC Color, 2024, lists Tuesday to Saturday and holidays 7:00–19:00). Free admission (check before you go).
Best time: Tuesday to Saturday mornings, year-round.
Activities
Festivals and events here
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→ JunAsunción 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)FeaturedMayIndependence 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)AugAugust 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, VariosAugAugust 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.
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Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.