The National Pantheon of the Heroes ( es, Panteón Nacional de los Héroes), whose full name National Pantheon of Heroes and Oratory of the Virgin of the Asuncion ( es, Panteón Nacional de los Héroes y Oratorio de la Virgen de la Asunción) is a building and landmark of

Asunción Asunción (, , , Guarani: Paraguay) is the capital and the largest city of Paraguay. The city stands on the eastern bank of the Paraguay River, almost at the confluence of this river with the Pilcomayo River. The Paraguay River and the Bay o ...

Paraguay Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...

, and a national monument of Paraguay. It is located between the Palma and Chile streets in the downtown of the capital of Paraguay, and it is considered of great architectural, artistic and cultural heritage. In October 1863, the then president

Francisco Solano López Francisco Solano López Carrillo (24 July 1827 – 1 March 1870) was President of Paraguay from 1862 until his death in 1870. He was the eldest son of Juana Pabla Carrillo and of President Carlos Antonio López, Francisco's predecessor. ...

ordered the construction of the chapel of the Virgin of the Asuncion, which was designed by Italian architect Alejandro Ravizza, in collaboration with the builder Giacomo Colombino. But as a result of the War of the Triple Alliance, the building remained unfinished and in scaffolding for over 70 years. Only after the Chaco War in 1936 was able to finish and was inaugurated on October 12 of that year, to become by presidential decree in National Pantheon of Heroes. The National Pantheon is the mausoleum of the country, where lie the remains of various figures of great significance in Paraguayan history such as

Carlos Antonio López Carlos Antonio López Ynsfrán (November 4, 1792 – September 10, 1862) served as leader of Paraguay from 1841 to 1862. Early life López was born at Manorá (Asunción) on November 4, 1792, as one of eight children. He graduated from Real C ...

(first constitutional president),

José Félix Estigarribia José Félix Estigarribia Insaurralde (February 21, 1888 in Caraguatay – September 7, 1940 in Altos) was a Paraguayan military officer, politician and president. He was Commander in Chief of the Paraguayan Army during the Chaco War (1 ...

(hero of the Chaco War against Bolivia) and his wife. In addition, in the pantheon lie the children martyrs of Acosta Ñu and two Unknown Soldiers, among others. Within the enclosure of the pantheon have set countless illustrious honorary plaques sent by foreign rulers, kings and princes. Congratulations and verses of appreciation to the Paraguayan Navy, Air Force among others. The front of the pantheon features an inscription in Latin, "Fides et Patria", meaning "My faith and my country." It is customary in Asuncion that when something historic happens (such as the victory of Fernando Lugo in the 2008 elections) people flock with their flags to the street in front of it and celebrate the event. The ceremonial changing of the guard is held several times a day.

Gallery

Image:Panteon Asuncion Paraguay.jpg, The National Pantheon by day Image:Panteon heroes paraguay.jpg, The Pantheon by night Image:Panteón nacional de los Héroes - Paraguay.jpg, Front of the National Heroes Pantheon by Day {{coord, 25.2822, S, 57.6352, W, source:wikidata, display=title Buildings and structures in Asunción Cemeteries in Paraguay Mausoleums Monuments and memorials in Paraguay Buildings and structures completed in 1936