In central Asuncion sits a small nondescript building. This is the most important nondescript building in the country.

The building in Independence House where the independence of Paraguay was plotted and from where the patriots headed to confront the then governor of Paraguay with their declaration of independence.

The building itself is a small colonial style house. Being a national monument it is well maintained with bright clean whitewashed walls.

The house was originally built by the Spanish settler Antonio Martinez Saenz in 1772. It was built in the colonial style with adobe walls and a roof of bamboo poles and thatch. Although no palace it was of the style and in the comfort required by well to do family of the time.

Standing just a couple of blocks from Government House it was in the very heart of Asuncion.

Independence House in addition to being a national monument is also the oldest building still standing in its entirety in central Asuncion.

As the calls for independence from Spain grew across South America in the early 19th century the house of Antonio Martinez became the meeting place for those seeking independence for Paraguay.

Both Antonio and his brother were active members of the independence movement. Gatherings were held in their house to plan for a Paraguay free from the control of Spain.

At these meetings men who went on to play important parts in the independence of Paraguay such as Fulgencio Yegros were regularly in attendance.

Other of the key figures in the movement Pedro Juan Caballero was for a while a lodger.

Matters were finally brought to a conclusion on the night of 14th May 1811. That evening the plotters met to put the final touches to their declaration of independence.

Early the following morning they left the house declaration in hand to confront the governor with their terms. For a while matters were tense, but the declaration was accepted and Paraguay became the only country in South America to free itself from Spain without bloodshed.

Having played such a vital part in the history of Paraguay the house was preserved as it had been in 1811. Asuncion changed and grew around it but the house remained as it had always been.

Now although facing a busy street and overlooked by modern shops and offices the house has maintained its dignaty.

To ensure the house remained that way it was made a museum to the independence of Paraguay in 1965.

Independence House is now one of the principal tourist sights in Asuncion.

Within it the story of the Independence and of the patriots who bought it about is told.

Rooms have been restored and hold artifacts, documents and furniture of the time.

The office contains a collection of documents from the time.

The dining room, living room and bedroom all contain period furniture. In the bedroom stands the bed of Fernando de la Mora.

The oratory contains a number of religious carvings with more carvings to be found in an adjoining corridor.

Next to the building an old alleyway has also been preserved. After leaving the house on the morning of 15th May it was down this alleyway that the patriots headed on their way to their fateful meeting with the governor.

The dates of the 14th and 15th May are celebrated every year in Paraguay giving the country technically two independence days. However in reality the independence is celebrated on the 14th with the 15th being Mothers Day.

It is a place that anyone with even the slightest interest in the history of Asuncion should visit while they are in Paraguay.