- Address: Río Apa, Asunción, Paraguay
- Phone: +595 21 414 0000
- Project author: Alonso Taylor
- Construction: 1857-1867
In the capital of Paraguay, there are many symbolic objects that deserve the attention of tourists. One of them is the López Palace, which houses the official residence of the president and the government of the country.
How was Lopez built?
The history of the construction of this building is connected with the name of Francisco Solano Lopez, who was the son of Paraguayan President Carlos Antonio Lopez and the godson Lazaro Rojas, an entrepreneur of French origin. The design of the palace Lopez worked architect Francisco Wisner, and directly construction, which began in 1857, was led by Alonso Taylor.
Francisco Lopez himself never lived in this palace. The fact is that the construction took place during the war years against the Triple Alliance. For 7 years, Asuncion was occupied by the Brazilian troops, and the López Palace itself served as their headquarters. As a result of the war, the building was partially destroyed and looted.
Use of the López Palace
The restoration of this historic building began during the reign of Juan Gualberto Gonzalez, who, because of the political upheaval in the country, did not even have time to live in it. As the residence of the government, Lopez Palace was used in 1894 with the coming to power of Juan Batista Eguskis, who lived with his family until the middle of the 20th century.
Initially, the presidential administration was located on the top floor of the building. But because of the poor state of the stairs, President Felipe Molas Lopez moved his study to the first floor. After him, the master of the cabinet and the palace of Lopez was General Alfredo Stressner, who ruled the country in 1954-1989.
In 2009, the building became an object of the cultural heritage of Paraguay.
Architectural style and features of the palace Lopez
When the construction of this metropolitan landmark was used building materials brought from different parts of Paraguay:
- a tree from Jaguaron and Nimbuku;
- iron from mines in Ibicuy;
- bricks from Takumbu;
- stone from Altos and Ambush.
When designing the snow-white facade of the López Palace, architects were inspired by the styles of neoclassicism and palladianism. Inside the building is decorated with rectangular and semicircular windows, marble staircases and huge openwork mirrors.
At the entrance to the palace of Lopez there are relief columns and arched openings, with the decoration of which used stucco elements. The central portico is decorated with a small square tower with spiers.
European artists, engineers and architects participated in the process of decorating the López Palace. That is why now you can find the following decor items here:
- canvases with floral motifs, the creation of which worked Julio Monet;
- The marble staircase created by Andres Antonini;
- The sculptures set by Owen Mogniehan;
- French furniture;
- bronze statues;
- ancient paintings.
Now the palace of Lopez is an important political and cultural object of the country. But to see all the beauty of this building, you should come to him at night. At this time it is illuminated by hundreds of lights, which paint on its walls the most beautiful patterns.
How to get to Lopez Palace?
In order to see this landmark, you need to go to the northwest of the Paraguayan capital . Lopez Palace is located almost on the shore of the reservoir Bahia de Asuncion. Next to it lies Prospekt José Asuncion Flores. You can get to this part of Asuncion by car, taxi or rented transport , following the roads of Costanera José Asunción, General José Gervasio Artigas and Roa Bastos. The route from the center of the capital to the palace of López takes 20-25 minutes.