Natalio, el puerto maderero de la época del mensú
A district on a fertile plateau in eastern Itapúa; according to the most likely version, its name comes from a foreman of the 1930s logging camps.
What it is
Natalio is about 45 km off Route PY06 and sits on a plateau, the highest in its terrain, which extends from south to north for about 25 km. Its soil is considered the most fertile in the department, within the strip of land of the Alto Paraná basin. The origin of the name is not entirely clear, but the most likely version links it to the "mensú era" (around 1930), when an indigenous lieutenant from Corrientes named Natalio, foreman for an Argentine landowner, lived at the port that bears his name and managed the carts that carried logs and the staff cutting down the Atlantic forest of the Alto Paraná. It became a district in 1974 under the name Domingo Robledo and recovered its name in 1989. Today it has about 14,900 inhabitants (2022 census). The origin of the name is not entirely clear: according to Wikipedia, the most likely version links it to Natalio, a Correntino indigenous foreman who worked for an Argentine landowner and lived at the port that bears his name.
What to see and do
- Fertile Alto Paraná plateau
- History of Natalio port and the logging camps
- Farm landscape of eastern Itapúa
Did you know…?
The mensú was the rural jungle worker, above all on yerba mate plantations and logging camps, often under conditions of semi-slavery.
The district borders Argentina to the south, across the Paraná.
History
The district was created by decree-law on 4 December 1974, split from Capitán Meza, under the name Domingo Robledo (in honour of a mayor murdered in 1972). After the coup of February 1989 it went back to Natalio.
Tips
- It is a short visit: combine it with Capitán Meza and Pirapó.
- Ask the municipality about activities on mensú history.
Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: Autumn and spring.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Nearby
Capitán Meza · Itapúa
Capitán Meza, colonia alemana y puerto sobre el Paraná
The "mother of districts" of northeastern Itapúa, founded in 1907 by German settlers, with a port on the Paraná.
Pirapó · Itapúa
Pirapó, colonia fundada por inmigrantes japoneses
An Itapúa district founded on 2 August 1960 by Japanese immigrants, 7 km off Route 6.
Hohenau · Itapúa
Colonias Unidas: Hohenau y Obligado
Immigrant colonies with community festivals, Choppfest, parks and pioneer museums.
Alto Verá · Itapúa
Reserva para Parque Nacional San Rafael
One of Paraguay's last great Atlantic forests: tree ferns, hundreds of bird species and jaguar tracks.
Tavaí · Caazapá
Cenote de Tavaí (Cerro Morotĩ)
A half-open cave with ice-cold pools at the foot of Cerro Morotĩ: extreme adventure in Caazapá.
Jesús · Itapúa
Misión Jesuítica de Jesús de Tavarangue
A colossal church that was never finished: trefoil arches in the middle of the countryside, a World Heritage Site.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.