IGLESIA SAN BUENAVENTURA

Without doubt the most beautiful church in Paraguay, in any case the best example of Hispano-Guaraní baroque. It was built between 1755 and 1772, with an architecture close to the oga guazú, the great Guarani house. It is located in the middle of the old reduction square, in a large green area. Imposing (70 m x 30 m) and elegant, it is made of adobe and wood, surrounded by large colonnades. The imposing roof, which descends very low to protect the walls, is supported by sturdy wooden pillars, deeply embedded in the ground. It was installed before the thick adobe walls were built, which provide perfect insulation against cold and heat. The main entrance faces east. Two entrances to the north and south. The temple is sober on the outside: white, without relief, without ornamentation. This austerity contrasts with the interior of the church, rich in sculptures and gilding. In this way the Franciscans wanted to convey the spiritual message of the humility of appearance for the depth of the soul. The magnificent central altar and altarpiece are the work of the Portuguese José de Souza Cavadas. Also worth seeing are the pulpit, the confessional, the dome and the wooden sculptures. The two altars on the sides were brought later, the originals were transferred to the church of Trinidad de Asunción in the mid-nineteenth century. The wooden tower bell tower, rebuilt several times, has kept its original shape. The sacristan Antolín Alemán can turn on the lights of the church, so that you can fully appreciate the interior.