Ybycuí: La Rosada, Waterfalls and National Park

Ybycuí brings together two clearly distinct points of reference: the historic iron foundry and arsenal La Rosada are located in the town; Parque Nacional Ybycuí is in Ybycuí District, Paraguarí Department. For orientation, the town’s history and its natural setting are therefore two separate topics, even though both are associated with the same place name. The national park is known for its waterfalls, hiking trails and mining history; La Rosada points to the town’s industrial and military past. Knowing how to distinguish these destinations makes it easier to separate the town’s history from descriptions of the national park’s natural features and trails.

Waterfalls and scenery in the national park

Parque Nacional Ybycuí was established as a national park in 1973 by Decree No. 32,772, covering an area of 5,000 hectares in Ybycuí District. Salto Guaraní is one of the park’s main attractions. Salto Escondido is in a forested area, while Salto Minas is in an area of the park with a rich mining history. The waterfalls can also be distinguished by their surroundings: Salto Escondido is associated with forest, Salto Minas with mining history, and Salto Guaraní is known as a main attraction.

Compare hiking trails by length and destination

Yvaga Rape is 550 meters long and offers a wide view over the park. The La Rosada hiking trail runs for 2,500 meters through a forested area. The two trails therefore differ in both length and character: Yvaga Rape is shorter and offers wide views, while the La Rosada trail runs through the forest.

The Minas hiking trail is one kilometer long and leads to an area with a rich mining history. The Guaraní hiking trail is also one kilometer long and leads to Salto Guaraní. These two trails are the same length but have different destinations: one leads to an area shaped by its mining history, the other to the waterfall. The Escondido hiking trail leads to Salto Escondido. Trail conditions may vary.

La Rosada: Iron Foundry and Arsenal

La Rosada is located in the town of Ybycuí. The restored iron foundry also served as an arsenal during the War of the Triple Alliance and was declared a national monument. It was built in 1849, during the government of Carlos Antonio López, to ensure the supply of weapons. Products cast there included cannons, projectiles, bladed weapons and agricultural tools. This range of products reflects both its military function and its role in producing tools for agriculture.

The buildings visible today in the historic area of Parque Nacional Ybycuí were reconstructed according to the original plans and on the original foundations. Together with the date of their construction and their purpose at the time, the architecture offers a concrete way to explore the history of the site. La Rosada can thus be understood both through its preserved and reconstructed buildings and through its function as a foundry and arsenal.

Saltos Mina in the surrounding area

Near Ybycuí is Saltos Mina, an eight-meter-high waterfall. The natural pool at the foot of the waterfall is suitable for swimming. Saltos Mina carries more water, particularly during the rainy season. Water conditions and access may vary; take these conditions into account when planning your visit. Saltos Mina near Ybycuí should be distinguished from Salto Minas in the national park, which is in an area with a rich mining history.

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