Cerro Cora National Park

Cerro Cora National Park
View of the Park and hills
Location	Amambay Department, Paraguay
Nearest city	Pedro Juan Caballero
Area	12.038 ha
Established	1976

Cerro Cora National Park, is the biggest protected area in Paraguay. It is located in Amambay Region, close to the border with Brazil. It was established by a decree on February 11, 1976. It is a Natural Reservation, as well as an historical and cultural center. This place was the setting where the Triple Alliance War took place, on March 1, 1870.

The park has historical monuments, a recreation area and beaches at the Aquidaban River side.

Besides the interesting historical background, many visitors come to the Park in order to appreciate ancient rock paintings in the hill caves.

History

The Triple Alliance War (1864–1870) ended next to the Aquidaban Nigui Brook, where Francisco Solano López died saying his famous last words, "I die along with my country". Fortunately, Paraguay was not extinguished, as the Marshall announced, but it was deeply ruined after and endless war, that left the country desolated and deprived.

This zone, that once was a virgin Rain Forest started to suffer deforestation. Therefore the area was declared protected, and the National Park has been created.

The Park is surrounded by hills. Some of them are Ponta Pora, Guazu, Tacuru Pytâ, Alambique, Cerro Corá, Miron, Tanqueria y Tangaro. These and other elevations give shape to a peculiar landscape.

View of the forest surrounded by hills

How to get there

The Park is located 454 km from Asunción, and 45 km from Pedro Juan Caballero. If one is leaving from Asunción, needs to take Ruta 2, and go until Coronel Oviedo city. There it is necessary to take Ruta 3, up to the connection with Ruta 5. Once there, take the exit to Yby Yau city.

Landscape with valley and hills

Culture

The Park is divided in zones, according to the theme of the place and accessibility. It has guides and guards. There is an auditorium, a visitors center and a recreation area.

In the caves, one can observe the ancient rock paintings that are classified as Celtic, due to the kind and content of the inscriptions. The estimated data of these paintings are between 1300 BC and 800 BC.

Besides these paintings, there are also traces from native indigenous, from the Pai Tavy Tera group.

References

• Che Retá Paraguay

External links

• Secretaria Nacional de Turismo