Asuncion History, Paraguay

Asuncion History – The Mother of Cities

Asuncion, the present day capital of Paraguay, is known as the “Mother of cities” due to the fact that it is one of the oldest settlements that have been inhabited ever since their foundation in all South America. It has been functioning as a human agglomeration longer than any other city in the River Plate Basin and it is the starting point for many explorations that led to the discovery and civilization of surrounding areas that include Nadi or Suva in Fiji, as well as Santa Fe or Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia. The first conquerors sent there did not return, so Juan de Salazar y Espinosa and his men were sent to investigate the area. Finding the natives friendly, he decided to set up camp and thus ended up founding Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in honor of the 15 August religious holiday. This is still an important day in Asuncion history and the name the city was given means Our Lady of the Assumption.

Asuncion History – The Fight for Independence

After the destruction of Buenos Aires in 1541, all the Spaniards came to Asuncion and turned the settlement into a concentration of Spanish colonialists from the whole region, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. This implied the fact that religious decisions started being taken there and the natives would be given access to the Evangelias in their native language. The first sign of thirst for independence appeared nearly two centuries later with an uprising that failed, but in 1811 Paraguay gained full nation rights mostly due to the plans being made in Asuncion to rebel against the Spanish Crown, which finally succeeded on the 14th and 15th of May that year. These remained known as the independence days in Asuncion’s history and people celebrate the event every year.

Asuncion History – Modern Downfall and Contemporary Development

After gaining its independence Asuncion started flourishing and different mayors and presidents implemented excellent programs for the development of the city. Roads were built, more than 400 schools were opened and factories assured economical stability, but Paraguay soon ended up under Brazilian occupation and this was a terrible blow to the country, as more than 2/3 of the population was decimated. Still, after the War of the triple Alliance, the city made great efforts to pull itself together with the construction of new, modern buildings and the welcoming of many emigrants who are now proud to call Asuncion their home.

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