Fort Itapirú

Fort Itapirú stands on strategically positioned high ground on the right bank of the Paraná River near its confluence with the Paraguay River. The site contains remnants of original fortress walls that are now partially preserved within the grounds of the Paraguayan Naval Base.

The fort served as a key defensive position for Paraguayan forces during the Triple Alliance War in 1866, resisting Brazilian advances. This role highlighted its importance as a critical point in the regional conflict of that era.

The fort represents 19th-century military engineering with stone walls and artillery positions built for river defense. This construction shows how engineers of that time secured river crossings strategically.

The site has been home to the Paraguayan Naval Base since 1971, which has integrated the fortress walls into its grounds. Visitors should know this is an active military facility and access may be restricted.

After a major flood in 1983, the fort's location changed dramatically when the Yacaré stream shifted its course to flow into the Paraguay River. This geographic shift effectively turned the fortress into an island and altered its physical relationship to the surrounding landscape.