In Paraguay’s western Chaco region, a traditional wooden ox cart has reached a scale far beyond its usual purpose. Measuring 15.9 metres long, 6.4 metres wide and 6.9 metres high, the structure has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest ox cart. It stands on a rural property in Loma Plata, Boquerón, owned by Wilbert Sawatzky and his family.
The record brings international attention to a project rooted in the history and craftsmanship of the Chaco. Made entirely from lapacho wood, the enormous cart was built by Silvio Grance Morilla, an artisan from Paso Urunde’y, near Belén in the Paraguayan department of Concepción. The project forms part of preparations for a major anniversary in the region’s Mennonite community.
A traditional craft on an extraordinary scale
The idea began with a commission from Sawatzky, who asked Grance and his son to produce 65 traditional wooden carts. Grance took on the challenge of building a much larger version of the traditional cart. The giant structure preserves the proportions and recognisable features of the original design, while its size makes it a landmark in its own right.
Lapacho, a hardwood native to South America, was used throughout the construction. Known for its strength and durability, the timber is also associated with traditional woodworking in the region. Preparing the individual pieces took approximately two years at Grance’s workshop in Paso Urunde’y. He then travelled to the Chaco with a team of eight collaborators, who completed the final assembly in just ten days.
The Chaco placed in the international record books
The official verification took place at Rancho Tucán in the Chaco. Engineers used calibrated digital equipment to measure the structure, while a Guinness World Records adjudicator and independent witnesses oversaw the process.
The achievement gives the Chaco a place in the international record books while highlighting the work of a craftsman from northern Paraguay. It also connects a contemporary record attempt with a tradition that has long been part of rural life.
World’s largest ox cart: More than a record
Ox carts have played an important role in Paraguay’s rural history, serving as practical means of transporting goods and materials before modern vehicles became widely available. Their wooden construction and distinctive wheels remain recognisable elements of traditional Paraguayan craftsmanship.
In this case, the cart’s purpose extends beyond transportation, it is part of a 21 day celebration planned for June 2027 to mark the centenary of the arrival of the first Mennonite settlers in Colonia Menno, connecting the region’s history with a large scale celebration.
For more information, find Wilbert Sawatzky on Instagram.
