This article was made by our partner MUPAPY: Voices of Museums and Cultural Heritage. This week, the text is about the Alberto Del Valle Museum. Click here for the last one about Tacuru Pucú.
The Professor Alberto Del Valle Museum can be defined as an outstanding cultural space. Founded in 2006, this museum is named after Alberto Del Valle. He was a fervent advocate of Paraguayan heritage and a known antique collector. He is renowned as well for his collection of historical objects. The museum is also considered a benchmark for cultural tourism. It is located in the San Blas Independencia neighbourhood, about 10 kilometres from the urban center of Encarnación. In the direction of the Itacuá Sanctuary, visitors travel a dirt road of approximately three kilometres to reach it.
Alberto Del Valle Museum’s Offering
The Alberto Del Valle Museum is housed in the professor’s former residence. The different rooms offer a unique and immersive experience. This space occupies a 2.5-hectare property and was designed to transport the visitors to key moments in Paraguayan history. The museum is in a welcoming environment that invites reflection and learning. Among the exhibits, you can find a collection of jesuits carvings, weapons, chains, uniforms, canteens, and antique furniture. You can also see indigenous crafts, musical instruments, paintings, sculptures, and other everyday objects such as pots and scales. It is important and relevant to mention that most of these pieces are 200 years old.
In the galleries, you can take a look at the portraits of Paraguayan soldiers from the War of the Triple Alliance. You can see as well reproductions of Renaissance oil paintings by the painter Bartolomé Martínez. A glimpse of the artistic expression you would find in different eras. There is also an exclusive piece from 1926: a marble bust of General Bernardino Caballero, adorned with iron chains made at the Ybycuí foundry, used during the 1970s War to prevent the passage of allied ships in Humaitá.
Where The Content Comes From?
Most of the content that can be seen inside the Alberto Del Valle Museum own collection are pieces that he used to gather when he was alive. Now, the responsibility of keeping the artifacts and showcasing them to the public falls into the hands of Maria Emilia Baez. She is the sister of the late professor and current director of the place. However, it is important to mention that Encarnación’s City Hall also contributes to it. Laura Candia, the museum guide, has been working alongside them for more than eighteen years, and can affirm that the work they have put into it has made the building a known educational destination essential to the town.
Alberto Del Valle Museum Opening Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
The Alberto Del Valle Museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 5 PM. It has a small fee of 10,000K Guaraníes that includes a personalised guide that can surely bring the best out of the experience. If you want to make a reservation, you can contact Laura via WhatsApp. You can also follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. A big thanks to the city of Encarnación for the pictures!
