In just a few kilometers from the country’s capital Asunción, there is a small city of San Lorenzo. It isn’t a frequent guest of tourist guides and tour circuits. But the whole community of Paraguay students is familiar with the name because the fame of its student life left the borders of San Lorenzo long ago. During the day, noisy debates of future advocates and politicians can be heard from countless bars. At night, the loud music from nightclubs fills the University city’s streets from evening till morning. Meanwhile, the city’s main attraction contemplates all the happenings majestically, reminding everyone that one should feed not only the mind and body but also the soul.

The construction of the main shrine of the city, the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, continued for years and was finished in 1968. It was built in the Neo-Gothic style and located in the historical center of the city, surrounded by narrow alleys paved with stone and picturesque, spacious squares. At first glance, the cathedral stuns you with its size. It occupies a whole quarter area, and the sky-blue wall color and numerous towers make it look like a fairy-tale castle. The entire country knows no single temple at least far resembling this gorgeous religious structure.

Even though each square centimeter of this majestic architectural monument deserves careful examination, the main point of interest is the tower clock that has been decorating the cathedral since 1884. This ancient clock, almost 170 years old, decorated the central tower of the Asunción Cathedral, and it was in 1851 that it produced its first sound there. It had worked properly until 1990 when the city heard it for the last time. Only in 2008, the local government decided to restore the clock with the help of financing from the citizens of San Lorenzo. So now the guests of the city can enjoy its beautiful look and chime.