Atyrá
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (May 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
 |
The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page.(May 2008) Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. |
| Atyrá | |||
| Atyrá | |||
|
|||
 |
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Department | Cordillera | ||
| Founded | 1538 | ||
| Founder | Domingo Martínez de Irala | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 160 km² (61.8 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 95 m (312 ft) | ||
| Population | |||
| - Total | 15,278 | ||
| - Density | 70/km² (181.3/sq mi) | ||
Atyra is an old city of Paraguay, 61 kilometers from the country's capital, Asunción. Located in the Altos Cordillera, is part of the Cordillera Department. Initially named Atyha, found by the governor Domingo Martínez de Irala in 1538. These days it is known as the Ecological Capital of Paraguay.
Contents |
[edit] Toponimy
It was initially named "Atyha", word of Guaraní origin. It used to be a village of the natives and it was called that way because it was the place of meeting of its members.
[edit] Geography
Located in the Altos Cordillera, the landscape of the city has great extensions of rocks that form undulations.
[edit] Limits
To the North, the city of Arroyos y Esteros To the North-East, Loma Grande To the South, Tobatí To the West, Altos To the South-East, limits with San Bernardino and Ypacarai
[edit] Climate
The climate is mild and dry. The average temperature is 22º C, reaching in the summer 39º C and in winter dropping to 3º C.
[edit] Demography
The Atyra's population is 15.278 habitants, 8.004 men and 7.274 women, according to the projections of the Statistics, Polls and Census General Direction (2008).
The population density is 70 habitants per kilometer.
[edit] Neighborhoods and districts
Most of the housings in Atyra are modern, but a few are left that date from the 19th century, those show the architecture and details of the typical constructions of that time during the Colony, so there can be found houses with ceilings of hay and surrounded by trees and palms typical of the area.
The city is divided in an urban and a rural area. In the urban are the following neighborhoods:
- San Antonio
- San Blás
- Las Mercedes
- María Auxiliadora
In the rural area are these localities:
- Candia
- San Vicente
- Gral. Bernardino Caballero
- Zanja hú
- Comandante Ojeda
- Caacupemí
- Tacuaty
- Mbururú
- Candia Loma
- Catumbey
- Cauguá
- Potrero
- Monte Alto
[edit] History
The governor Domingo Martínez de Irala found it in 1539. The act of foundation was made under the shadow of three Yvapovó plants, in place that the natives used as a place of meeting, from this came the name "Atyhá" that finally became "Atyrá". In 1580, Franciscan Missioners lead by Alonso de San Buenaventura and Fray Luis de Bolaños, made the religious foundation of the localities: Altos, Atyrá, Tobatí and Yaguarón.
[edit] Church of Atyra
The church of Atyrá is nowadays a Museun of Sacred Art that exhibits beautiful cravings in wood made by the natives since 1580, with a Baroque Hispano-Guaraní style.
The building of the church started towards 1782, impelled by the Priest Almada, who also made his the responsibility of encouraging the population of the city to develop some mechanic and artisan abilities.
The church was remodeled in 1852 by command of the President of Paraguay at that time, Carlos Antonio López. This temple was replaced in 1928, for the building that stands these days.
Since that moment, the town developed and grew around the church, as was traditional with most of the towns in Paraguay throughout its history. Three of four walls of the building served as the start of the new construction, the wall that face southeast does not present any sign of there being built more edifice.
The church is not located in the epicenter of the city; it is actually displayed more like the perspective of an avenue, as if it was the beginning or the end of the city. In its interior, it keeps the altar built in the 18th century and the statues that represent the Virgin De Los Dolores, Saint Francis, Saint Lucía, Virgin De La Candelaria, María Auxiliadora, and Saint Catalina, among others, all created under the teaching of the Franciscan Missioners.
[edit] Economy
The population of the city dedicates mostly to agriculture and cattle. But it also has oil factories and sawmills. The production of the oil comes from the industrialization of coco.
The people of the city also maintain the continuity of the artisan characteristics of the Colonial time, specially the work in saddlery.
[edit] Arts and culture
This city is known by the artisan work in leather and fabric the people of the city make. The artisans also work in the creation of wood objects. The production is exposed in a permanent market installed in the middle of the city.
In October 4 is celebrated the religious holiday of Saint Francis of Asís, Patron Saint of the city.
[edit] Traditional culture
One of the richest stories of the Paraguayan folklore has its origin in Atyrá. It is the story of the Indio José, who found himself trapped during a violent inundation in the area and begged for help to the Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion. He received a miracle, found a tree to climb on in the Zanja Hú Hill and save his life. The Indio José had promised the Virgen to carve an image for her, so he did, and that same image is now part of the altar in the religious center of Paraguay, the Caacupé Basilic.
[edit] Artisan craftmanship
One of the most interesting activities the artisans make is the carving of wood, which is the second most important activity of the city. These objects in wood are very well known and appreciated by the citizens of Atyrá and the entire country, as well as some nearby countries. This artisan activity started in times of the Colony, when the Franciscan Missioners thought the natives. The tradition still lives in the population of the city, and keeps growing and perfecting with every generation. The usual themes for doing the carvings in wood are saints, mythological creatures, animals and some more.
Another remarkable craftsmanship is work in leather. Many families work the leather and make bags, backpacks, shoes, belts, saddles, and others.
[edit] Tourism
The city has a "Casa de la Cultura" (House of Culture), which displays the work made by the artisans of the city.
Atyrá has a rich variety of fauna and flora, especially in the area of Zanja Hú. It has several streams that are apt for swimming and practicing water sports. Carumbey means "Turtle’s stream".
[edit] Buildings of patrimonial value
- Atyrá’s Church, an interesting construction that maintains the original Franciscan altar until these days.
- Saint Francis Museum, where there is a permanent exposition of historical photographs, objects and craftsmanship.
[edit] Municipality
Atyrá is known as the "Cleanest city of Paraguay", the seventh most clean in America and the eighth healthiest community in the world, certificated by the World Health Organization. It also was declared "Ecological Capital of Paraguay", by a government decree.
This accomplishment is due to the Municipality's initiative that has sponsored the protection of the environment and the ecological preservation among its habitants. This effort of the municipality and the population is noticed in the cleanliness of the city's streets.
