Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0Plaza de Armas de Encarnación
Heart of Roque González's old Guaraní mission, now a tree-filled square with monuments, ponds and cultural events.
What it is
The Plaza de Armas is Encarnación's most emblematic public space. It arose in the city's flourishing times and was the heart of the Guaraní mission founded by the priest Roque González de Santa Cruz. Over time it became the main square and a meeting place for the people of Encarnación. After a refurbishment it was officially reopened on 25 March 1975. Today it has several paths, monuments commemorating key events or honouring community groups and figures, a children's play area, ponds and a large central esplanade that often hosts cultural events and public gatherings. Its vegetation is abundant, with native trees and flowers, and in spring the pink lapachos of the square and nearby avenues, such as Avenida Caballero, give this part of downtown its characteristic colour.
What to see and do
- Commemorative monuments
- Ponds and paths
- Esplanade for cultural events
- Pink lapachos in spring
Did you know…?
The square gathers monuments recalling events and figures of the community.
Lapachos in bloom in September and October paint downtown pink.
History
In the 17th century it was the centre of the Itapúa reduction. With the founding of Villa Encarnación (1843) its role changed until it became today's square, refurbished in 1975.
Tips
- It is a good starting point for exploring downtown on foot.
- Weekends often bring fairs and activities, especially in summer.
Open public space. Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: September and October for the lapachos; summer for the atmosphere.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Encarnación Carnival
Feathers, drum troupes and dance groups in the Sambadrome: Paraguay’s “summer capital” throws the country’s biggest carnival.
CarnivalEncarnación, ItapúaFeaturedFeb→ MarNatsumatsuri, Encarnación Japanese Summer Festival
Taiko, dances and Japanese food on a summer night hosted by Encarnación’s Nikkei (Japanese-descendant) community.
Heritage communitiesEncarnación, ItapúaAugWRC Rally del Paraguay
The World Rally Championship races on the red-dirt roads of Itapúa, based in Encarnación.
SportEncarnación y Colonias Unidas, ItapúaFeaturedDecFeast of Our Lady of Itacuá
The shrine on the banks of the Paraná welcomes thousands of the faithful from southern Paraguay on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
ReligiousEncarnación, Itapúa25MarNuestra Señora de la Encarnación · Encarnación
Mass at the cathedral and a procession of the Virgin through the city center, merging with the celebrations of the city's founding.
Patron saintEncarnación, ItapúaFeaturedNearby
Encarnación · Itapúa
Encarnación
The Pearl of the South: riverfront promenade, river beaches, carnival and the perfect base for the Jesuit missions.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
Seat of the Diocese of Encarnación, built between 1913 and 1938 on the site of earlier 18th and 19th-century churches.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Réplica de la estación de ferrocarril de Encarnación y Museo Ferroviario
Replica of the station demolished in 2009 by Yacyretá, housing the Municipal Railway Museum steps from San José beach.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Costanera y playas de Encarnación (San José, Mbói Ka'ẽ y Pacu Cuá)
Miles of promenade and sandy beaches on the Paraná: this is the capital of the Paraguayan summer.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Carnaval Encarnaceno (Sambódromo de Encarnación)
Paraguay's biggest carnival: comparsas (parade troupes), feathers and drumming every Saturday in January and February.
Encarnación · Itapúa
Molino y Silo San José, patrimonio de la vieja Zona Baja
Two 1940 industrial structures that survived the Yacyretá flooding and can now be seen from San José beach.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 2 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.