Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Historic center · San Bernardino, Cordillera
Centro histórico de San Bernardino
The tree-lined streets of the former German colony, founded in 1881, with Plaza General Bernardino Caballero, summer mansions, the Hotel del Lago from the late 19th century, and the Casona Büttner, which houses exhibitions about the town’s history.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Centro histórico de San Bernardino
San Bernardino was founded on August 24, 1881, after the War of the Triple Alliance, by German immigrants, including the Swiss-German Santiago Schaerer, the colony’s first administrator. The name honors General Bernardino Caballero, then president of Paraguay.
The center is a few blocks from the lake, around Plaza General Bernardino Caballero, with tree-lined streets and summer houses with porches and gardens, built by the settlers and later by families from Asunción. The Hotel del Lago, from the late 19th century, is one of the town’s oldest buildings; German physician Bernhard Förster died there in 1889. The old German Club, founded in 1889, is today the Club Náutico de San Bernardino.
The Casona Büttner, another historic mansion, houses a tourist experience center with exhibitions, virtual visits and workshops on the town’s history and lake conservation.
The walk is on foot, unhurried, between the plaza, the old houses and the descent to the waterfront. On summer weekends, craft and food fairs occupy 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
1 to 2 hours on foot.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, when the shade of the trees helps. Check Casona Büttner’s opening hours before you go.
How to get there
The center is a few blocks from the lakeshore. The bus from Asunción stops near the plaza.
Tip
End the walk by going down to the waterfront in the late afternoon. On weekends in December and January there are often craft and food fairs in the town centre.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Centro histórico de San Bernardino
Who founded San Bernardino?
German and Swiss immigrants, in 1881. The first administrator of the colony was the Swiss-German Santiago Schaerer.
What is the Hotel del Lago?
A late 19th-century hotel, one of the city's oldest buildings. It was there that the German doctor Bernhard Förster died in 1889.
What is in the Casona Büttner?
A tourist experience centre with exhibitions, virtual tours and workshops about the history of San Bernardino and Lago Ypacaraí. Check the opening times before you go.