is named after the Italian Paraguayan Ignacio Alberto Pane , the work of the Italian-Paraguayan builder David Broggini Starting with the Italian explorer
Sebastian Cabot, in 1528, Italians in Paraguay have had a significant importance in the birth of modern Paraguay. Responsible for much of Paraguay's cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, their sphere of influence has cut through nearly every aspect of society. Thanks to the Italians, Paraguayan cities acquired their current character through the settlement of those typical activities of a city: bakeries, shoe shops, tailors, pasta shops, liquor stores, among others.
Architecture The work of Italian engineers and architects transformed the colonial architecture of Paraguay, giving it an Italianate character, which is still visible today. 19th century were the architects Alejandro Ravizza and Juan Colombo, as well as the builders Giacomo Colombino and José Pelozzi. The builder David Broggini and the altar painter César Pizzoli were involved in the parish churches of
Itauguá and
Villarrica.
Festa Italiana during the 3rd edition of the
Festa Italiana ("Italian Feast") in
Asunción (2019) Since 2017, the
Festa Italiana ("Italian Feast") is an annual festival in the capital of Paraguay, with a huge success of public and commerce merchants. The feast is centered on Italian music and food and wine, and involves Italian cuisine restaurants and bars, as well as Italian Paraguayan associations, each with its own stand.
Cuisine '' The
milanesa was brought to Paraguay by
Italian immigrants during the mass emigration that created the
Italian diaspora between 1860 and the 1920s. Its name probably reflects an original
Milanese preparation,
cotoletta alla milanese, which is similar to the
Austrian
Wiener schnitzel.
Panettone, another food of Italian gastronomy brought by Italian immigrants, is also widespread in Paraguay. The
noquis del 29 ("gnocchi of 29") defines the widespread custom in some South American countries of eating a plate of
gnocchi, a type of Italian
pasta, on the 29th of each month. The custom is widespread especially in the states of the
Southern Cone such as Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay; these countries being recipients of a considerable Italian immigration between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. There is a ritual that accompanies lunch with gnocchi, namely putting money under the plate which symbolizes the desire for new gifts. It is also customary to leave a banknote or coin under the plate to attract luck and prosperity to the dinner. The tradition of serving gnocchi on the 29th of each month stems from a legend based on the story of
Saint Pantaleon, a young doctor from
Nicomedia who, after converting to Christianity, made a pilgrimage through northern Italy. There Pantaleon practiced miraculous cures for which he was canonized. According to legend, on one occasion when he asked Venetian peasants for bread, they invited him to share their poor table. In gratitude, Pantaleon announced a year of excellent fishing and excellent harvests. That episode occurred on 29 July, and for this reason that day is remembered with a simple meal represented by gnocchi. Around 1920 at
Itauguá, in the Estanzuela company, owned by Italians, strawberries began to be sown, which from that moment on was also produced in Paraguay.
Sport in 1996 The Italian community of Asunción has had a great influence on
Club Libertad. Precisely, the symbol of the sports club is Don Nicola, a character dressed as a greengrocer carrying a basket of produce from the garden, among which cabbages stand out. Don Nicola, with his broad mustache and checkered cap, represents Italian immigrants who used to cultivate vegetable gardens in their homes. This passionate and mustachioed Italian is nicknamed
Gumarelo, a term that will forever identify the fan of Club Libertad. As for the origin of the name
Gumarelo, there are two versions. The first says that it originated from an Italian fictional character, created by the Argentine journalist Antonio Franiecevich in 1919 and 1920, who he called Pascuale Gummarello. Franiecevich himself has stated that he is a big fan of Club Libertad. ==Actual Italian community ==