General Bernardino Caballero Square

"Guapo´y" @ Bernardino Caballero Square

Located between the Luis F. Vache avenue and the corner Mariscal Lopez; already at the beginning this square was known to be one of the most emblematic gathering places for the early emigrants. The very same square was inspiration for the town design, and the wonderful fig tree (now over 100 years old) offers graciously cool shadow at the meetings (next to underlining the title as “emblematic meeting place”) Also, the tree bears the name ¨el guapo`y¨ (the lovely girl/maid)

In general, the place is used by families and groups of friends to celebrate different ceremonies and occasions.

The square was fully renovated in 2011 and kept its rustically and great symbiotic relationship between nature and cultural meeting point. A small amphitheatre was also built for the important cultural or touristic attractions. For the “little ones” a really nice playground (VIDEO on Facebook) was built, with sandbox, a wooden castle, swings and climbing frame. For the “larger kids”, there are almost around the entire year different musicals, singing or dancing exhibitions at the amphitheatre, next to many other interesting shows. The square is also home to a side-post of the SEAM, where they organise in a wooden structure many nature-related lectures and exhibitions. In short, here you can spend a great day outdoors with the family, or simply seek a little peace and silent contemplation.

Casa Julio Büttner & Sons - Local library and historical building

Founded in 1883 by the Büttner family, and considered as one of the most prestigious steam-powered carpentry workshops in Paraguay. In 1922 Julio Büttner acquired the Stanley generator, providing electricity to the whole town/city.

In 1925, he joined the ice making factory and in 1926 offered a car and truck service. That very same year the first passenger bus reached Asuncion. The Büttner home also functioned as the German and Agricultural Bank. In 1930 a telephone system and volunteer fire department were also added.

 Today the Büttner building is preserved as a library on the crossing of Colonos Alemanes and Nuestra Señora de la Asunción streets.

Hotel del Lago - Lake Hotel

It was built in 1888 by William Weiler, at the shores of the Ypacaraí-Lake as a resting place.

Social establishment for the upper classes, like politicians, writers and artists. Its fame spread throughout the South American continent, being the favourite place for newlyweds to spend their honeymoon.

Today it is also referred to as a living museum and cultural centre. It enchants with gracious Victorian structures, historical photo collections, diverse artifacts from past times, or simply with its wonderful gardens.

Several personalities stayed at the hotel, like: Agustín Pio Barrios "Mangoré", the former President Mariscal Estigarribia, writer Augusto Roa Bastos, amongst many others.

Address: Tte. Weiler e/ Mariscal López
3290 - San Bernardino (Cordillera)
Tlf.: (0512)23.22.01

Hassler House - Culture, Sport and Tourism Department

Emilio Hassler, a Swiss doctor, arrived at San Bernardino in 1883 and lived in a chalet which he called "Mon Repos" (My Resting Place). One of his greatest contributions was the description of 80,000 plant species, which are preserved today in Switzerland.

www.sanbernardino.gov.py

In 1921 Emilio Hassler founded with Andrés Barbero and William Bertoni, the Scientific Society of Paraguay.

www.stadtarchiv-schaffhausen.ch

He founded the John Henry Pestalozzi School and in 1927 was President of the Local Authority/Municipal Board. Under his mandate, the first local authority building was established, which since 1990 operates as a museum, library, exhibitions centre and dance school. 

www.ville-ge.ch

The building is located on the Luis F. Vache Street at the corner of Dr. Hassler.

An old tradition in Paraguay: "TERERÉ"

TERMO

“Tereré” is a very  traditional  and popular beverage in Paraguay, and it is widely spread amongst the South-American countries. It is usually ice-cold water (can be hot for “mate” or “cocido”), in a recipient called a “Termo”, poured over a medicinal or refreshing herb-mixture. The water infusion is added to the mixed herbs or tea (also known as “Mate”-Ilex Paraguariensis) in the “Guampa”, gourds usually made of fine wood or animal horn. The herbal mixtures (also called "Yuyos", coll. Weeds/herbs, or "Remedios

GUAMPA

refrescantes" - refreshing remedies), tea, or the "Mate" / "Yerba", is drunk with a fine drinking-tube/steel straw called "Bombilla" - usually made of silver, nickel silver (“Alpaca”) or fine wood. For the high temperatures around our country this is one of the quickest and more practical ways of taking in your daily water intake, but also has developed to be a very well-recognized tradition amongst friends, business partners, etc., sharing a healthy cup. Also, one thing we will observe is, that the very same “Bombilla” is shared amongst everybody, which.- for obvious reasons-, can result in a slight discomfort by the foreign population (Beware! - It is not taken very lightly if refused without a good excuse; also, if accepted make sure you finish the whole thing) The most positive thing about “Tereré” is the high water consumption and the fact, that it has turned into a social thing, with the extra possibility of using countless “remedies”, ranging from bad stomach and acid reflex to headaches or infections

BOMBILLA

(depending on the mixture used) The more common mixtures include mint (“menta-í”) or lemon-grass, and what we call a “coffee break” is a “Tereré” break over here in Paraguay - where it is not just tolerated, but allowed and also advised because of the described stimulant effect it can have to health and production!