Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
Panteón Nacional de los Héroes
The National Pantheon of Heroes and oratory of the Virgin Our Lady Saint Mary of the Assumption is located between Palma and Chile streets in full downtown of the capital of Paraguay, is a must for all tourists and foreign delegations coming to Paraguay and Asuncion visit. Is at the same time, an architectural gem of great artistic value, cultural and heritage.
In October 1863, the then President Francisco Solano Lopez ordered the
construction of the chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption, was designed by
Italian architect Alejandro Ravizza, in collaboration with the builder Giacomo
Colombino. But following the War of the Triple Alliance , the building was
unfinished and scaffolding for over 70 years. Only after the Chaco War in 1936
was it finished and opened on October 12 of that year, to make it by
presidential decree the National Pantheon of Heroes.
Under pressure from the hierarchy and citizens devoted to the Virgin, considered
until now patron of Paraguay and Marshal of the Army, Dr. Felix Paiva is forced
to restore the Oratory of Our Lady of the Assumption in 1937 and at the same
time renamed National Pantheon of Heroes. By Decree No. 895/1993 of the
Archdiocese of Asunción, appointed Rector Monsignor Annibale Rachid Oratory of
Our Lady of the Assumption and therefore as the National Pantheon.
The national pantheon of heroes is the Paraguayan replica of "Les Invalides"
Parisians. The work is inspired, according to some historians, the Dome of the
Hospice of Les Invalides in Paris, in the Basilica of Santa Maria of Carignano
and the College of Four Nations.
The National Cemetery is the mausoleum of the country, where lie the mortal
remains of the heroes of Paraguayan history as Don Carlos Antonio Lopez (1st
constitutional president), Mariscal Francisco Solano López, Marshal Jose Felix
Estigarribia (hero and winner of the Chaco War against Bolivia) and his wife. In
addition, Children Martyrs Acosta Nu, two Unknown Soldiers, among others.
Within the enclosure of the cemetery have set countless illustrious honorary
plaques sent by foreign rulers, kings and princes. Congratulations and
appreciation verses of the Paraguayan Navy, Air Force among others. Many wonder
what the significance of the inscription in Latin, which is located at the front
of the cemetery, "Fides et Patria" means, "My faith and my country."
In 2009, the National Pantheon of Heroes was elected as one of the Seven
Treasures of the Assumption Cultural Heritage Materials, sponsored by the
American Capital of Culture because of the capital status of Asuncion as
American Capital of Culture 2009.
Domestic routes domain of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications of
Paraguay, have their starting point in the National Pantheon of Heroes. Taking
into account the special provisions of the ministry, for the case of calculating
the distances in kilometers, Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 will have their
new car in the portico of the Pantheon axis of National Heroes must join their
mileage to the point corresponding to its junction with Trunk Highway
respectively. This decision dismisses the symbolic point "0" located in the
Mercado 4 of Asuncion.
On the merits to be met by a person to be buried in the National Cemetery there
is a difference of opinion. For many historians, must have contributed a useful
cause of humanity, have made a very important work that has brought benefits to
the country and the world at large. Some say that are buried in the Pantheon
people without sufficient merit to rest next to the honorable of the country.
However, some feel that all the characters are there, each in turn, are
outstanding, they have earned the merit of entering this site.
Each March 1 marks the Day of Heroes, in honor of Marshal Francisco Solano López,
who had died in the War against the Triple Alliance, which occurred on that date
in 1870. The memorial ceremony is usually presided over by the President of the
Republic, representatives of the Armed Forces and the National Congress,
ministers and other authorities. Declaring this day as a holiday and no work
activity in public institutions.
Interestingly, the National Secretariat of Tourism highlights the National
Pantheon of Heroes and Oratory of Our Lady of the Assumption as a tourist
attraction, with free access. Many travel agencies promote it in different parts
of the world. Such is the importance of building your image is in the currencies
of 1000 (thousand) Guarani.
Translated from Wikipedia
Russian - Paraguayan
