Itapé facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Itapé
Mission of Ytape
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Church in Itape behind the sculpture of its founder Buenaventura de Villasboa
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Spitirual Capital of Guaira
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 Itapé
Location in Paraguay
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| Country | Paraguay |
| Department | Guairá |
| Population
(2008)
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| • Total | 1 726 |
Itapé is a small and important town in Paraguay. It is located in the Guairá Department and sits right by the Tebicuarymi River.
Contents
The History of Itapé
Itapé was started in 1682 as a Catholic mission. A mission is a special community built to teach people about Christianity. It was founded by Buenaventura de Villasboa, a priest who was a mestizo. This means he had both European and Indigenous ancestors.
Founding the Mission
Villasboa traveled to the area near the Monday River. There, he met groups of Guaranis who had not yet had contact with outsiders. He brought these groups to existing missions in Caazapa and Yuty.
However, these new Guaranis found it hard to live with the Indigenous people who were already Christian. So, Villasboa and a bishop named Faustino de las Casas decided to create a new place for them. They chose a spot by the Tebicuarymí River.
Establishing Ytape
The Spanish Governor of Paraguay, Juan Diez de Andino, gave the order to establish this new mission. They named it Ytape. This new mission helped the Guaranis learn and live in a new way.
What Does Itapé Mean?
The name Itapé comes from the Guarani language. It has two possible meanings. One meaning is "ford," which is a shallow place in a river where you can cross. The other meaning is "flat stone."
The Pilgrimage to Itapé
Every year on December 18, many people visit Itapé for a special event called a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey made for religious reasons. This pilgrimage honors a local Marian devotion, which is a special way of showing respect to the Virgin Mary.
A Special Icon
The religious icon honored in Itapé is the same as the one in the city of Caacupe. Over 50,000 visitors come from all over Paraguay to take part in this important religious event. It is a very spiritual time for the town and its visitors.
