Cmasi · CC BY-SA 4.0Santuario de la Virgen del Rosario de Luque
A neoclassical church built between 1928 and 1939 over a 1750 chapel, today one of the country's major shrines.
What it is
The shrine is on Avenida Virgen del Rosario and Cerro Corá, in Luque. It is a neoclassical church, designed by a Salesian priest-architect based in Buenos Aires, and is the city's main Catholic shrine. It now also has cathedral status. The site's history comes in layers: from a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary in 1750 to a church whose wooden towers were replaced with fired materials in 1839, up to the monumental work of 1928.
What to see and do
- The neoclassical façade
- The historical weight of the Virgin of the Rosary in Luque
- Its closeness to the centre of the filigree city
Did you know…?
Works were interrupted during the Chaco War.
The original design dates from 1922.
History
In 1743 the San Francisco convent received a bequest from Miguel de Luque; in 1750 the chapel was established. Works on the current church began on 16 January 1928, were suspended during the Chaco War (1932–1934) and resumed until its blessing on 30 July 1939. The driving force was Father Pantaleón García (1890–1973), appointed in 1920.
Tips
- Respect mass times.
- Combine with a visit to Luque's filigree workshops.
Check opening hours before you go. Hours depend on mass times.
Best time: Mornings; October, the month of the Rosary.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Nihon Matsuri Japanese Festival
Taiko, Japanese food and Nikkei culture at the biggest festival of Paraguay’s Japanese community.
Heritage communitiesLuque (Parque Olímpico), CentralFeaturedJulKure Luque Ára
Luque's pig day: a free food fair with grilled meats, music, dance academies and crafts.
FoodLuque, CentralSepExpo Luque
Luque's municipal expo: music, crafts, food, a pet parade, a queen pageant and exhibitions.
ExpoLuque, Central7OctVirgen del Rosario · Luque
The folk procession «Bandera jere», an aerial procession, a folk Mass and karu guasu (a big communal feast) in the sanctuary gardens.
Patron saintLuque, CentralFeaturedNearby
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Luque
Capital of gold and silver filigree and birthplace of guitar and harp makers, minutes from the airport.
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Museo del Fútbol Sudamericano (Museo CONMEBOL)
The home of South American football: trophies, championship jerseys and interactive exhibits, with free entry.
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Parque Guasu Metropolitano
A great 125-hectare green lung on the edge of the city, next to Parque Ñu Guasu.
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Parque Ñu Guasu
The big green lung between Asunción and the airport, with a 5 km loop for walking and running.
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Parque Ecológico de Fernando de la Mora
A small municipal park of about 2 hectares, with natural paths and capybaras, next to the Campo Grande stream.
Mariano Roque Alonso · Central
Expo Mariano Roque Alonso (predio de la Asociación Rural del Paraguay)
Every July, the country's biggest fair: show cattle, Paraguayan industry, food and entertainment.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.