Front: José Eduvigis Díaz (?-1867), Paraguayan general

During the Triple Alliance War against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay in 1866, he first distinguished himself on raids across the Río Paraná at Corrientes. Díaz was the hero of the September 22, 1866 battle of Curupaity. While scouting a river on a canoe, he was killed by a shell shot from a Brazilian ship.

Back: Ruins of Humaita

Front: Mariscal Francisco Solano López (1826-1870), President of Paraguay

Mariscal López was the third president of Paraguay after gaining independence from Spain in 1811. He assumed power after the death of his father, Carlos Antonio Lopez. During his presidency in 1864, Paraguay entered the Triple Alliance War against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. By 1870, Paraguay had lost the war. One-half of the 550,000 pre-war populations were killed in the war. Mariscal Lopez himself also died in the battlefield.

Back: National shrine

Front: Don Carlos Antonio Lopez (1787-1862), President of Paraguay

Carlos Antonio Lopez was a lawyer by training. He became the second president of Paraguay. Lopez ruled as a dictator. He administered Paraguay like a personal fiefdom. Lopez used his power to enrich himself and his family. However, Paraguay prospered under his administration. The Paraguay population nearly doubled from 1840 to 1860. He improved national defense, stimulated economic development, improved relationship with foreign countries, reduced the threat of the indigenous tribes who still roamed the Chaco, and made great advances in education.

Back: Lopez Palace