Cerro Cora National Park (also spelled Cerro Corá) is the biggest protected area in Paraguay, covering 5,538 hectares. It is located in the Amambay Department, 45 kilometers from the capital city, Pedro Juan Caballero, and near the border with Brazil. Created on February 11, 1976, the park is both a nature reserve and an important historical site. It is where the final battle of the Paraguayan War happened on March 1, 1870.

Background

The park includes several historical monuments, a museum, and an area for outdoor activities near the Aquidabán River.

Besides its historical significance, many visitors come to see ancient rock writings found inside caves on nearby hills.

History

The Paraguayan War (1864–1870) ended near the Aquidaban Nigui Brook, where Francisco Solano López died and said his famous last words, "I die along with my country." This was the place where the final battle of the Paraguayan War happened on March 1, 1870.

Cerro Cora National Park, which was once an untouched rainforest, experienced deforestation. The area was later protected, and the national park was established.

The park is surrounded by hills, including Ponta Porá, Guazu, Tacuru Pytâ, Alambique, Cerro Corá, Miron, Tanqueria, and Tangaro. These and other high-elevation areas form a unique landscape.

Route

The Park is 454 kilometers from Asunción and 45 kilometers from Pedro Juan Caballero. Visitors starting their journey in Asunción can travel along Ruta 2 to reach Coronel Oviedo city. From there, they should proceed along Ruta 3 until it connects with Ruta 5 and take the exit toward Yby Yaú city.

Culture

The park is divided into areas based on their theme and how easy it is to reach different parts. It has guides, guards, an auditorium, a visitor center, and a recreation area.

Petroglyphs are carved into rock shelters throughout the park. A rock art research team from the National Museum and Research Center of Altamira studied the petroglyphs in 2008 and discovered that some are 5,000 years old. The Paï Tavytera Indigenous people currently live in the area.

Gallery

• A landscape showing a valley and hills
• Cerro Muralla, also called "Wall Hill," is a hill in Amambay, located within Cerro Cora National Park. It looks like a wall. This description is from 2008
• A view of a forest that is surrounded by hills