The city was founded by the Paraguayan Jesuit San Roque Gonz�lez de Santa Cruz on March 25, 1615.It gained in importance after the coming of the railway in 1854
In 1957, the city was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Encarnaci�n
Today the city is divided into two main sections - the old city by the river and the newer business district inland. Because of its mild climate Encarnaci�n is often called "The Pearl of the South
Encarnaci�n was the birthplace of Alfredo Stroessner, general and head of state of Paraguay from 1954 to 1989
