Travel Guide Tobatí

Tobatí, comes from guaraní toba ("face") and moroti ("white"). The town, located 17 km from Caacupé and 63 km from Asunción, is surrounded by rocky hills. Founded in 1539 by the first governor of Paraguay, Domingo Martínez de Irala, it became a Franciscan mission in 1583. From this colonial period comes the tradition of wooden icon carving. The craftsmen have preserved the Hispano-Guaraní baroque style, which can be seen on the altarpiece of the Church of the Immaculate Conception: a Virgin similar to the Virgin of Miracles of Caacupé, except that it is taller (1.50 metres as opposed to 40 centimetres). Thanks to its fabulous woodwork, basketry and ceramics, Tobatí is nicknamed the "Capital of Paraguayan Craftsmanship". There is an interesting variety of crafts. Centuries-old traditions such as the carving of wooden icons rub shoulders with new creations, such as the relief paintings representing the façades of colonial houses, or the wooden masks of timbó and basketry of Indian origin, made with palm leaves and lianas. There are also recently implanted weaves such as macramé. In addition to the permanent exhibition of the cooperative at the Villa Artesanal, the exhibition at the Mirador, on the road at the entrance to the town, allows direct contact with the artisans. They can be asked to visit their workshops and commission personalized works. The town is also known for its olerías, the impressive brick factories, moulded by hand and scattered all over the municipality.