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Museum · Assunção, Assunção
Museo del Barro
The Centro de Artes Visuales Museo del Barro brings together indigenous and pre-Columbian ceramics, Paraguayan folk art, lace, silverware, wood carving and contemporary art, in pavilions in the Isla de Francia neighborhood.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museo del Barro
The Museo del Barro, officially Centro de Artes Visuales Museo del Barro, began in 1979 as a private initiative by Paraguayan artists and researchers, among them Carlos Colombino, Olga Blinder, Ysanne Gayet and Osvaldo Salerno. The name comes from the collection of clay pieces that started the holdings. Since 1988 it has operated in the pavilions in the Isla de Francia neighborhood, east of the center.
The museum brings together three perspectives on Paraguayan art. The Museum of Indigenous Art, opened in 1992, houses ceramics and objects from different indigenous peoples of the country. The folk art collection shows ceramics, religious wood carving, silverware and lace, such as ñandutí, the spiderweb-shaped lace typical of Paraguay.
The contemporary art wing, the Paraguayan Museum of Contemporary Art, has paintings, prints and sculptures by national artists. One room holds the woodcuts of Cabichuí, a newspaper printed in Paraguayan encampments during the War of the Triple Alliance.
It's the museum for those who want to understand Paraguayan culture beyond political history. The rooms are cool, and the visit pairs well with a morning or afternoon outside the center.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1.5 to 2 hours for the three collections.
Best time
In the afternoon on weekdays, when the heat outside is more oppressive. Opening days vary: check in advance.
How to get there
It's on Grabadores del Cabichuí street, in the Isla de Francia neighborhood, about 9 km from the historic center. A taxi or ride‑hailing app takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Tip
Allow time for the Museum of Indigenous Art and for the ñandutí lace. Combine the visit with the cafés and shops of Villa Morra along the way.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museo del Barro
What is in the Museo del Barro?
Indigenous and pre-Columbian ceramics, Paraguayan popular arts such as ñandutí lace, silverware and wood carving, and the country's contemporary art.
Where is the museum located?
In the Isla de Francia neighborhood, about 9 km from downtown Asunción. The most practical way is by taxi or ride app.
What is ñandutí?
It is a Paraguayan lace shaped like a spiderweb, made in colorful circular patterns. The museum has antique pieces, and the stalls at Plaza de los Héroes sell contemporary ones.
How much time should you allow?
Between 1.5 and 2 hours to see all three collections without rushing.