Nueva Germania
The colony founded by Nietzsche's sister: a failed utopia turned yerba mate town.
What it is
Nueva Germania is a quiet rural town surrounded by yerba mate plantations and cattle, with a history that's hard to believe. Here, in 1887, Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche and her husband set out to found an 'Aryan' colony free of Jews. The utopia failed, but families of German origin stayed on and blended with the Paraguayan population: in the Tacuruty area there's a German church and cemetery, and on the street you'll hear Spanish, Guarani and a little German. The Aguaraymí and Aguarayguasu rivers offer beaches and fishing, and yerba mate keeps the local economy going.
What to see and do
- The entrance gateway, plaza and monument to the founders on PY11 (2024)
- The German church and cemetery at Tacuruty
- The yerba mate circuit
- Beaches and fishing on the Aguaraymí and Aguarayguasu rivers
- The founding anniversary every August 23 and the German-heritage Choppfest in October (if held)
Did you know…?
Friedrich Nietzsche rejected the antisemitism of his sister and brother-in-law.
In August 2024 the municipality unveiled a monument to the founders that sparked fierce controversy.
It was rumored that Josef Mengele lived here, but there's no solid evidence for it.
The documentary 'Un suelo lejano' ('A Distant Soil', 2019) tells the colony's story.
History
It was founded on August 23, 1887, by Bernhard Förster and Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, with poor families from Saxony, on an antisemitic ideology. The hardships of the bush and a lack of resources sank the project: Förster took his own life on June 3, 1889, in San Bernardino, and Elisabeth returned to Germany a few years later. Today it has around 5,700 inhabitants (2022 census).
Tips
- The Choppfest, a German-heritage beer festival, held its first edition in October 2016 at the Club Centenario; check whether it's being held the year you visit.
- There are only a few family-run guesthouses: ask the municipality what's currently available, or sleep in Santa Rosa del Aguaray.
- After heavy rain the Aguaraymí beaches may close due to flooding (as happened in the 2025-2026 summer).
- Approach the history with sensitivity: the colony's ideological past still stirs local debate.
Best time: April to October to explore the area in mild weather; August 23 for the anniversary. In summer, the Aguaraymí beaches if the river allows.
What to try
- Mate and tereré made with local yerba
- German-heritage dishes at community festivals
Activities
Festivals and events here
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Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 8 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.