Itá, Historic colonial settlement in Central Department, Paraguay
Itá is a city located near a headstream of the Tebicuary River in the Cordillera de los Altos region at around 100 meters in elevation. The settlement spreads across the southern slope of this highland area with a traditional colonial layout.
The city was founded in 1539 by Governor Domingo Martínez de Irala and quickly became an important Jesuit missionary center during the colonial period. This religious role shaped how the region developed and lived for centuries.
The San Blas Craft Center shows traditional Guaraní-Hispanic ceramics and pottery made by local artisans. You can watch how these crafting techniques are still practiced today by people in the community.
The city sits about 37 kilometers from Asunción and is reachable via Route I Mariscal Francisco Solano López, making it an easy day trip from the capital. The area supports active industries in rum production, leather processing, and agricultural goods that drive the local economy.
According to local accounts, the Itá Lagoon formed from a wartime incident when an elderly resident refused to give water to soldiers. This story is part of the town's oral history and speaks to the resilience of its early people.
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