Roaming South America

Jesús De Tavarangue Ruins and town

June 19, 2023

The town of Jesús was founded on the sideof the Monday River on January 1, 1685. But the following yearthe Jesuit Father Jerónimo Delfín and the 150Guaraní families moved to Ibaroty. The town was moved threemore times until in 1748 they arrived at the place where thecurrent town of Jesús is located today. This location turnedout to be the definitive one since the expulsion of the Jesuitsended the plans to transfer the Mission again.

Around the Plaza Mayor, part of the newchurch, the College, the Coty Guazú, and the foundations ofthe new houses were built, but they were never completed. Becauseit was never completed they say the Mission "a great unfinishedwork."

Obligado, Paraguay

June 18, 2023

Obligado, Paraguay, has a population of about 17,000. Obligado is about 35 kilometers northeast of Encarnación. It's a relatively new town, having been founded in 1912.

The historical information I found was sparse, but here it is: A man from Argentina, Dr. Pastor Obligado owned the land that eventually became the town with his name. He sold the land in May 1912 and the city was measured out and founded by Rodolfo Müller and Guillermo Ymlauer.

Santísima Trinidad del Paraná

June 17, 2023

One of the first information signs you willsee in the park says this: "This mission stands out for itsmajesty and grandeur. It represents the baroque thatcharacterizes the construction of the temple decorated withsymbos and signs. The Guaraní Corregidores of that time areburied in its central nave.

The grandeur of the Plaza Mayor is an indication that it has beenthe center of demonstration of power, where parades of armies,large processions, theatrical and musical performances wereheld."

Encarnación, Paraguay

May 15, 2023

Encarnación, Paraguay, has a population: 140,000, but the metropolitan area is around 226,000, and if you include Posadas, Argentina, directly across the river, the population is about a half-million. Encarnación is located at the very south tip of Paraguay and is directly across the river from Posadas, Argentina. There's a bridge crossing the border and the bridge includes a track for a train that runs between the two cities. The line of cars can be hours long, but the wait to cross by train is minutes.

Ciudad del Este, Paraguay

May 12, 2023

Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, has a population: 310,000, but the metropolitan area is around half-million. The city was founded in 1957. Because it's a new city it has no interesting architecture, no interesting cathedral or major church, and no central plaza. The city sits along the banks of the Paraná River, which is also the border between Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Upriver from the city a few kilometers is one of the world's largest hydroelectric dams. A few kilometers south of CDE the Iguazú branches off the Paraná River. The Iguazú River is the location of the famous Iguazú Falls, and this river forms the border between Brazil and Argentina. Ciudad del Este can be translated, literally, to City of the East because it is the eastern-most city in Paraguay, so is also known as the city of the rising sun.