Yaguaron

About

Originally named Jaguarú after a creature in the indigenous Guarani mythology, Yaguarón became a site of holy significance under the Franciscans who brought Christianity to the natives. It is home to the 17th century San Buenaventura Church, which is one of the best examples of Franciscan architecture in the country. Yaguarón is the birthplace of José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia, known simply as Dr. Francia or El Supremo, the first ruler of independent Paraguay. A museum dedicated to this isolationist dictator can be found in his former home, which is decorated with paintings of independence heroes and furniture of European origin. If you are up for a short climb, Yaguarón Hill is a site of local pilgrimage and a great place to survey the Cordillera de los Altos mountain ranges that surround Paraguay. The hill is said to contain the footprints of Saint Thomas.