A new tourist attraction has opened its doors in Paraguay. The Museo Viedma (MUVA) launched in late May 2026 in San Ignacio Guazú, Misiones Department, around 225 kilometres from Asunción. The museum aims to preserve and promote the Guaraní–Jesuit legacy, combining art, history, and spirituality. The project seeks to offer a transformative cultural and tourism experience.
“A museum that seeks to be an experience”
During the opening ceremony, museum director Verónica Viedma highlighted the meaning of the project and its scope beyond art and history. She described the Museo Viedma as “the materialisation of a vision born from art and love for this land”.
Viedma explained that MUVA was conceived as a living and dynamic institution. Therefore, MUVA was designed to research, educate, collect, conserve, interpret, and exhibit both material and immaterial heritage. It does so through an artistic and spiritual lens that interprets Paraguay’s history.
“It is a museum that seeks to be an experience. We want every visitor to be transformed after walking through each hall.”
Legacy and impact for Paraguay
Founded by Prof. Dr. Manuel de Jesús Viedma Romero, whose work reflects deep faith and artistic sensitivity, the museum serves as a permanent home for his artistic and spiritual legacy. More than a traditional museum, it is a cultural complex dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Guaraní–Jesuit heritage. Its main attraction is a permanent exhibition of 78 monumental murals created by Viedma after more than four decades of research.
The site also includes temporary exhibition halls, a specialised library, an auditorium, a café-restaurant, a cultural shop, and landscaped gardens, positioning it as one of Paraguay’s newest cultural tourism destinations. Beyond its cultural value, the project is expected to contribute to the local economy, strengthen Paraguay’s international image, and enrich the country’s tourism offering. By helping position Misiones as a cultural destination, the museum reinforces Paraguay’s commitment to preserving its heritage while supporting development and sustainable tourism.
Value of cultural investment
At the inauguration of MUVA, President Santiago Peña described the project as “an act of pure patriotism”. He emphasised that investing in culture is “almost a revolutionary act” in an era dominated by short-term economic returns. Peña also called on the private sector to support museums and heritage restoration initiatives.
“A country that defends its artistic and cultural legacy also defends the art and culture of tomorrow. We believe in culture as a motor for development, but we also recognise that the State cannot do it alone.”
The MUVA Viedma Museum is open from Wednesday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays, 09:00 to 19:00. With its combination of art, history, and spirituality, MUVA positions itself as a new cultural landmark in Paraguay’s southern region.
For more information, check MUVA’s official website.
Also in the Misiones Department: Panchito López: A Town In Paraguay That Does Not Give Up
