Five historic murals located in the Cultural Centre of the Port of Asunción are undergoing a comprehensive restoration process. The project is being managed by the National Secretariat of Culture (SNC) as part of the “Asunción 500 Años” initiative, a wide-ranging programme of urban and cultural revitalisation.
The murals were created in 1957 by Adolfo Alberto Diez Gómez, an Argentine artist and engineer who died in the Paraguayan city of Encarnación in 1993. The artworks are situated in the building’s former Baggage Hall. The five pieces are titled El Cazador (The Hunter), La Niña del Cántaro (The Girl with the Pitcher), La Abuela (The Grandmother), La Carreta (The Cart), and La Serenata (The Serenade).
The restoration aims to recover these significant works and re-establish their value as part of the capital’s cultural heritage.
A meticulous restoration process
The intervention is a multi-stage undertaking requiring specialised techniques. The process includes a thorough diagnosis of the murals’ current state of conservation, followed by surface and deep cleaning. Subsequent stages will involve the consolidation of the pictorial layers, repairs and levelling, chromatic reintegration to restore colour, and the application of a final protective layer.
These steps follow preliminary work which included creating survey windows and the careful, manual dismantling of structures that had previously covered the murals. This initial phase was crucial to reveal the artworks, allowing the restoration team to assess their condition and plan the full recovery.
Five historic murals reflecting national life
The murals were originally commissioned to adorn the reception and transit areas of the old Port of Asunción, a time when the building served as a primary entry point for travellers and goods into the country. According to technical records, the paintings were part of the original interior design of the Customs and Port dependencies.
The artworks depict scenes of everyday Paraguayan life and customs, with themes related to work, rural life, music, and daily practices. Their restoration not only preserves the paintings but also a part of the history associated with the port’s function as a bustling hub of activity. The murals were created in 1957 by Diez Gómez, an Argentine artist and engineer born in La Plata in 1917 who later died in Encarnación, Paraguay, in 1993.
Expert team and public engagement
A specialist team coordinated by Lic. Marta Vera is carrying out the restoration work. The team includes professional restorers and technicians, along with experts from the SNC’s General Directorate of Cultural Heritage. Vera and her team have already led two guided tours of the murals as part of the Asunción 500 Años Forum, providing the public with an opportunity to learn about the recovery process firsthand.
The project also involves documentary research and detailed analysis to define the most appropriate and sustainable technical procedures for the intervention. The recovery of the murals is a key part of consolidating the Port Cultural Centre as a leading cultural venue in Asunción, preserving the historic building while adapting it for new cultural uses and ensuring public access to its heritage.
Institutional support for cultural heritage
The National Secretariat of Culture has highlighted the support received from CONMEBOL for the project. The South American Football Confederation contributed to the conservation of the murals in connection with its 78th Ordinary Congress, for which it held the Official Dinner at the venue in 2024. This support underscores a collaborative effort to safeguard the city’s artistic legacy for future generations.
Also read: Revolutionary Mural Brings Musical Heritage To Life In Asunción’s Historical Centre.
