Tomás Martínez Mora · CC BY-SA 4.0Pirayú, antigua Capilla Gayoso
A 1769 town with a church from 1761, a railway station with two towers and a waterfall tied to Elisa Lynch.
What it is
Pirayú is at the northern end of Paraguarí department, about 50 km from Asunción, among hills of the Cordillera de los Altos: Yvytypané, Mbatoví and Santo Tomás. It used to be called Capilla Gayoso. It has 17,419 inhabitants (2022 census). Its attractions include the Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, built in 1761, with religious art hand-carved by indigenous craftspeople; the railway station, from around 1864 and of distinctive architecture, with two towers; the Ao Madama stream waterfall, in natural forest and tied by tradition to Elisa Lynch; the Pirayú Cultural Centre, in the former bishop's residence; and the Solar of General José Eduvigis Díaz, a museum on the soldier's birthplace. The Cerro León military camp from the War of the Triple Alliance is also mentioned, with restored buildings that work as a museum.
What to see and do
- The Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario (1761)
- The two-tower railway station
- The Ao Madama stream waterfall
- The Cerro León camp and its museum
Did you know…?
Pirayú comes from Guaraní piraju, "yellow fish".
The Cerro León camp was a military training site during the War of the Triple Alliance.
History
The town was officially founded on 15 October 1769 by Governor Carlos Morphy, although a Franciscan church had already been built in 1767. Itauguá was a sub-parish of Pirayú from 1769.
Tips
- Combine it with Paraguarí.
- Ask the municipality how to reach the waterfall and Cerro León.
- The museum at Campamento Cerro León (two restored pavilions) is run by the National Culture Secretariat; the press has reported it closed for works in the past, so check whether it is open before you go.
- Madama waterfall is a little over 10 km from the town centre, near the camp: ask at the town hall how to get there.
Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: All year; November is the rainiest month.
Activities
Festivals and events here
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Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 6 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.