page_title: Villarrica, Paraguay
section_title: Culture
hierarchical_section_title: Villarrica, Paraguay / Culture
caption_attribution_description: English: Church near the city of Villarrica, in Paraguay
context_page_description: Villarrica del Espíritu Santo, using its formal name is a city located in the middle of the Oriental Region of the Paraguayan territory, it is the capital of the Guairá Department. It was founded by the Spanish Captain Ruy Diaz de Melgarejo on May 14, 1570 in the old Guaira, today in Brazilian territory.
  Villarrica has many places that honor the Paraguayan culture, such as the monument to the memory of Manuel Ortiz Guerrero, honorary citizen of the city. About this city Bacón Duarte Prado wrote: Villarrica is the city of the eternal youth, born from the waters of the Ycuá Pytá and the breeze that comes from the hills.
  Founded by the Spanish Ruy Diaz de Melgarejo, 350 km east from the Saltos del Guaira, on May 14, 1570, with the name Villa Rica del Espíritu Santo, finally settled in 1682 in the hills near the Ybytyruzu, part of the Caaguazú Cordillera, 180 m above ocean level.
  The city is located near the Ybyturuzú, part of the Caaguazú mountain chain. The land is elevated, rough and wooded, appropriate for cultivate of sugar cane, trees for wood and cattle.
context_section_description: Regarded by many as the second most important city in Paraguay, due to the extraordinary number of celebrated exponents in the arts, literature, culture and political thought which have greatly increased the profile of the city in the national stage also gaining international recognition. Today the city boasts a substantial university population becoming a hub for learning. For many people, the city's name is synonymous with academia, scientific & cultural accomplishment. Historically, Villarrica has been a place of unusually heavy European immigration (Spaniards, Italians, French, Germans) compared to its neighboring towns and cities, also receiving immigrants from the middle east (Syrians, Lebanese, Palestine, Jewish). Perhaps the most unique city in Paraguay; one of distinct charm and idyllic background scenery at the foot of the Ybyturuzú mountain range. An old town of relatively untouched century-old houses alongside more modern architecture and blessed with magnificent year-long benign climate, Villarrica offers among the highest quality of life in Paraguay. Among the different social, recreational and cultural institutions, the next can be mentioned: “Club Porvenir Guaireño”, “El Centro Español”, “El Club de Leones” (Lions Club), “Instituto de Cultura Hispánica” (Hispanic Culture Institute), “Teatro Municipal” (Municipal Theatre), “Orquesta de Cámara” (Camara Orchestra), “Escuela Municipal de Danza” (Dance School), “Asociación de Productores de Caña de Azúcar” (Sugar Cane Producers Association), “Liga Guaireña de Fútbol” (Guaira Soccer League) and “Liga Guaireña de Basquetbol” (Guaira Basketball League).
  The city has several radio stations, television cable service and a television station, the Channel No. 8.
  The people from Guaira have preserve in their culture some myths and legends of the old natives, like the myth of póra (some kind of ghostly figure), pombero, jasy jateré, kurupi, urutau, karau, jakare, among others.
  Among the traditions of European origins, many they keep, many religious festivities, such as the Crucifix day, also horse races, cockfights, bullfights and many of dances and typical way of dressing.
caption: Franciscan Church located in Villarica
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