One of Asunción’s most historic churches will open its doors on Saturday, 10 October 2026, for a free guided tour. Organised by the Municipality of Asunción, Mysteries of the Encarnación will take participants through the history, architecture and legends surrounding the Church of the Encarnación. The tour will begin at 16:00 outside the church, located at the intersection of Eduardo Víctor Haedo and 14 de Mayo streets in the historic centre of Paraguay’s capital.
The activity will be led by Alberto Vera, a researcher specialising in Asunción’s history and head of Tourism Products at the municipality’s General Directorate of Culture and Tourism (DGCT). He will be joined by Father Hugo Fernández, the church’s current priest, who is also a historian and museologist. Together, they will introduce visitors to the stories that have shaped one of the capital’s most recognisable religious landmarks.
Six locations and centuries of history
The history of the Church of the Encarnación dates back to the earliest years of Spanish settlement in Paraguay. According to Vera, the first Mass celebrated during the Spanish colonial period was associated with an image of the Virgin of the Encarnación. This connection places the church’s religious history among the earliest chapters of Asunción’s development. Over the centuries, the church occupied six different locations and survived fires, floods and other disasters.
One of its former buildings stood for nearly a century before a devastating fire destroyed much of the structure on 4 January 1893. According to Vera, the fire began when several women visited the church to light a candle for the Infant Jesus. Strong northerly winds reportedly helped the flames spread, eventually forcing the community to find another location for the temple.
Construction of the present church began later that year on Loma de la Encarnación, also known as Loma Bolo Cue. The building was inaugurated in 1912, almost two decades after work first began. Its elevated position overlooking the historic centre also connected it to political and military conflicts during the early twentieth century.
The architecture behind the mysteries
Beyond its religious importance, the Church of the Encarnación is recognised for its distinctive architecture, designed by Italian architect Giovanni Colombo. The Italian architect remained involved in the project until shortly before his death, helping shape the church’s original architectural design. One of the building’s most recognisable features is its exposed brickwork, which gives the historic church its distinctive exterior appearance. Although some visitors might assume the building was left unfinished, Vera explains that the visible bricks formed part of Colombo’s design.
The church was declared part of Asunción’s architectural heritage in 2015. Any interventions must therefore respect its historical and architectural characteristics. Its stained-glass windows, religious images and distinctive construction continue to reflect different periods of the capital’s development.
How to join the free guided tour
The Mysteries of the Encarnación tour normally takes place on the third Sunday of each month. However, October’s edition has been moved to Saturday, 10 October. The change is part of activities celebrating the Virgin of the Encarnación.
Participants should gather at 16:00 outside the church on Eduardo Víctor Haedo Street. Admission is free, and the activity is open to residents and visitors interested in discovering more about Asunción’s history. According to the municipality, participants may be divided into two groups if attendance is particularly high. This measure is intended to protect the historic building and ensure visitors can explore its interior appropriately. The guided tour offers an opportunity to discover stories often overlooked by those passing through the historic centre.
