Caacupe is the religious center of Paraguay. As such it is fitting that it should have a museum in which to display its religious heritage.
Caacupe approximately 50km is the home to the Virgin of Caacupe. The Virgin of Caacupe is venerated across the country and the center of the annual festival held in the town every December.
Over many years a large number of relics, religious paraphernalia, photos and histories had been accumulated in Caacupe. Several years ago it was felt that these should be made more accessible to the general public.
Accordingly it was decided to build a museum in Caacupe in which they could be displayed. This new museum was built next to the Basilica.
Work on the museum was completed two years ago. The museum was then opened to the public in late November 2018.
It is a fairly small museum. Quite adequate to display all the treasures of Caacupe in a clear and uncluttered fashion.
Everything is well laid out and clearly labeled. The interior of the museum is well lit with the items placed in free standing displays so they they may be viewed from more than one angle.
All signage is as would be expected, in Spanish. However fact sheets in several languages are available at the entrance. When I visited I would have been quite happy to read the Spanish on the displays, but the staff were very keen that I took the English fact sheet to ensure that got the most from the museum.
As for the contents of the museum. These are varied covering both religion and the history of Caacupe and church building itself.
One of the main reasons for the construction of the museum was to display items relating to Papal visits. There have over the past 30 years been visits from both Pope John Paul II and Pope Francisco.
Many items relating to these visits are on display. Clothing, religious objects and photographs. Also the two chairs. One constructed for each pope to use on their visit are prominently displayed.
Further to this there is a collection of religious tools and objects that would have been used in the past in the church. Crosses, keys and various other relics.
In the center of the museum there is a model of the basilica. This enables the visitor to get a clear picture of all the features of the church that stands next doors.
The current church is not the original Basilica of Caacupe. It was opened in 1989 as a replacement to an older church that had fallen into disrepair. A section of the museum contains a display relating to this older church. Its demolition and replacement. A number of photographs explain this and the work involved in building the new church.
A further section deals with the Virgin of Caacupe. Its origin and significance are described in a clear fashion. This is the principal religious icon in Paraguay and as such is given a prominent display.
The original can be seen in the church next door. Standing high behind the main altar.
In order to place Paraguay in context with the other national churches across Latin America one final display shows the other images of the Virgin Mary which are venerated in those countries. These range from the Virgin of Guadeloupe in Mexico to the Virgin of Lujan in Argentina.
Almost every country has its Virgin. This provides the Catholic church with continuity across the region. This allows each nations church to be national and multinational at the same time. Something which like the Spanish language helps to bond the very different nations of Latin America together.
There is a same entrance fee for the museum. However it is worth the entrance fee which ensures that it will be able to keep its doors open and its treasures on display to the public.
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