- Address
Juan León Mallorquín between General Cabañas and Padre Kreusser, Encarnación (Itapúa, Paraguay)
- Web
https://rutajesuitica.com.py/ - Visiting Hours
Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sundays open only half an hour before masses (9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.) - What to see
Wooden dome
It was only in 1957 when the temple of Encarnación was transformed into a cathedral. Before, this site, which has become one of the most important buildings that have accompanied the development of the city of Encarnación in the Paraguayan department of Itapúa, has even suffered some curious episodes.
For example, when it was a temporary chapel in 1911, it was blown up by a dynamite explosion that the priest at that time had under the main altar with the aim of carrying out scientific experiments. This fact led to the beginning of the construction of the current temple in 1913. In that sense, the foundation stone was blessed by Bishop Juan Sinforiano Bogarin. However, due to local circumstances (revolution, fever), construction was paralyzed.
It was only in 1928 when it was decided to continue construction on the foundations that had been blessed previously. Meanwhile, beyond the vicissitudes, this site that is part of the Jesuit Route of Paraguay (it measures 38 meters and has a romantic style), has established itself as a refuge of faith for those who practice the Catholic religion in the South American country, in addition to destination for visitors and pilgrims.
