Cundebuff · CC BY-SA 4.0Plaza de los Héroes y el memorial de las siete mudanzas de Villarrica
A square facing city hall, dedicated to Chaco War heroes, with a memorial of the city's seven relocations.
What it is
Plaza de los Héroes stands in front of Villarrica's municipal headquarters and is dedicated to the combatants of the Chaco War (1932–1936). It contains a memorial of the city's seven relocations, a reminder that the settlement was not always where it is today. Villarrica del Espíritu Santo was founded in the 16th century on a site that today lies in Brazil's Paraná state, where the ruins of the old Villa Rica sit in the Vila Rica do Espírito Santo state park. From there it moved several times to its current location. The plaza is a good gateway to understanding the city's history and is close to other central spaces, such as Plaza Libertad, facing the Governor's office, and Plaza Pettirossi.
What to see and do
- Memorial of the seven relocations
- Tribute to the Chaco heroes
- Libertad and Pettirossi squares nearby
Did you know…?
Villarrica moved seven times before settling where it is today.
Plaza Libertad has a statue of Liberty holding a torch, and Plaza Pettirossi honours aviation pioneer Silvio Pettirossi.
History
According to information gathered on Wikipedia, the original founding site coincides with the municipality of Nova Cantu in Paraná (Brazil), and the ruins of the old Villa Rica are now in a Brazilian state park.
Tips
- Read the memorial plaques: they summarise the city's history.
- Combine it with the cathedral and the Fermín López museum.
Open public space. Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: Year-round.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Guairá Carnival
Dance troupes, carnival royalty and drum bands in the Villarrica sambadrome, one of the most traditional carnivals outside the capital.
CarnivalVillarrica, GuairáFeaturedMayGuairá Rally (Codasur round)
The South American rally championship comes to the roads of Guairá, based in Villarrica, with stages among hills and farming colonies.
SportVillarrica, GuairáSepVillarrica Flower Parade
Themed floats from schools and youth groups roll through downtown Villarrica to welcome spring.
FestivalVillarrica, GuairáOctFestival de la Raza
One of the oldest folk festivals outside the capital, with artists from Guairá and a “Giant Night.”
MusicVillarrica, Guairá16MayEspíritu Santo · Villarrica
Procession around the cathedral, fireworks and a folk festival with jineteada (bronc riding) and a food fair.
Patron saintVillarrica, GuairáFeaturedNearby
Villarrica · Guairá
Villarrica del Espíritu Santo
The 'wandering city' that moved seven times: capital of Guairá, cradle of poets and home of the Guairá Carnival.
Villarrica · Guairá
Parque Manuel Ortiz Guerrero y laguna Ycuá Pytá
A lagoon park in downtown Villarrica: boat rides, tame capybaras and the poet Ortiz Guerrero's tomb.
Villarrica · Guairá
Iglesia de Ybaroty (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción)
A church built 1944–1957 with a French-inspired façade in Romanesque-Gothic style, by two Spanish priests.
Villarrica · Guairá
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
Parque del Guairá (Villarrica)
Villarrica's big green space with a 2.2 km bike path, public gym, courts and the Guaireña FC stadium.
Mbocayaty · Guairá
Mbocayaty del Guairá
Home of encaje ju lace, with an 1857 church, a municipal museum and Expo Guairá every October.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 2 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.