Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0Parroquia del Señor Crucificado de la Buena Esperanza (Borja)
An 1776 Franciscan church in downtown Borja, with its original manual bell tower, declared cultural heritage.
What it is
Borja lies about 25 km from Villarrica and keeps one of Guairá's oldest churches: the parish of the Señor Crucificado de la Buena Esperanza, built in 1776 in the time of the Franciscan missions. It is in the downtown area, behind the municipal building, and has been declared cultural property by the National Culture Secretariat. Among its most notable features is the original manual bell tower. The person in charge of evangelising the area was the assistant priest Juan Miguel Brítez de Villar, rector of the Colegio Seminario and a member of the Villa Rica Cabildo. It is a short but worthwhile stop for those following the Franciscan route between Villarrica, Itapé and Caazapá. According to ABC Color (2020), the National Culture Secretariat declared it a heritage asset, based on Law 5,621/2016 on the protection of cultural heritage.
What to see and do
- 1776 church
- Manual bell tower
- Guairá Franciscan route
Did you know…?
The bell tower keeps its original manual mechanism.
Borja can be reached by Route PY08 or from La Colmena (Paraguarí).
History
In 1776 the Franciscan missions built the parish church. Assistant priest Juan Miguel Brítez de Villar was responsible for evangelising the area.
Tips
- Visit outside Mass and ask before taking photos inside.
- Combine it with San Salvador and Borja's waterfall area.
Working church. Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: Year-round.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Nearby
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Itapé y el Santuario de la Virgen del Paso
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Antigua estación de ferrocarril de Villarrica
A railway station that no longer operates, now the stage for the San Juan festival and surrounded by period buildings.
Villarrica · Guairá
Villarrica del Espíritu Santo
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A square facing city hall, dedicated to Chaco War heroes, with a memorial of the city's seven relocations.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.