Recoleta Cemetery, Asuncion

La Recoleta Cemetery (Spanish: Cementerio de la Recoleta) is a national cemetery located on the Avenue Mariscal López, Recoleta, Asunción, Paraguay.[1] It contains the graves of important figures in the country's history, including presidents of Paraguay.[2]The Cemetery is open to the public and has an area of about 14 hectares.

Recoleta Cemetery
Cementerio de la Recoleta
Map
Details
Established1842
Location
CountryParaguay
Coordinates25°17′34″S 57°35′22″W / 25.2927°S 57.5894°W / -25.2927; -57.5894
Size14 ha (35 acres)
Find a GraveRecoleta Cemetery

History

Aerial view of the Recoleta Cemetery in Asunción

The cemetery is on the site of a Franciscan Recollets convent, nationalised by José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia who had appointed himself head of the Paraguayan Church.[3]

Its origin dates from 20 October 1842 the date of its establishment by the government of Carlos Antonio López and consul Mariano Roque Alonso. Its creation was due to the lack of space for the burial of the deceased. Prior to this, remains were buried in churches or in the patios of houses. It was the first general public cemetery in the city and the country.

Notable interments

Tomb of Eliza Alicia Lynch at the Recoleta Cemetery in Asunción

Presidents

References