This is San Juan’s main square and it marks the 0º kilometer in the province. In past times, it was situated in Concepcion, the place where our founding Father Juan Jufré established the city of San Juan in 1562; however, due to a heavy inundation and in order to protect citizens from summer river floods, the town main square was moved 15 blocks to the south and it has remained in that place ever since. A beautiful well-preserved old fountain dresses up the square and palms, oaks and cedars paint the most wonderful picture-postcard scenery of varied green shades. Historical monuments erect the imposing presence of Fray Justo Santa Maria de Oro and Domingo Faustino Sarmiento.
.
.
.
The Catedral
After being destroyed in 1944, the cathedral was built from scratch in a very modem style and it was inaugurated in 1979. Its bell tower is a needle of 51 meters tall from the base up. Its access is guarded by a monumental bronze gate, crafted in “Faenza", Italy. At the altar you can see a Statue of Jesus Christ surrounded by 64 stars that represent all the catholic countries around the world. You can also find the crypts of bishops as well as Fray Justo Santa María de Oro's Chapel under the church. From the old building previous to the earthquake, only three sculptures remain standing: Saint John the Evangelist's, Jesus Christ on the Cross and the statue of Christ's Mother Mary.
.
.
.
Sarmiento's Birthplace Historic Museum
This was the first monument to have been declared of historic importance in Argentina, in 1910. The illustrious educator and former president of Argentina, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, was born in this house on February 15th 1811. The house displays 9 rooms where old furniture and priceless antiques can be admired. You will also find photographs and medals that once belonged to Sarmiento, as well as journals and books that were written by the cultivated hero. In the main yard, the remains of an old fig tree are still preserved together with an imitation of his mother's knitting machine, which Sarmiento mentions on his book titled “Recuerdos de Provincia ".
.
.
.
San Martin's Historic Cell
This National Historic Museum dates back to the 17th century. In this room, the country's national commander spent time planning his journey to Chile in the name of freedom. You can find here centennial trees, the old furniture intact and the two bells that announced the victory of the Chacabuco Battle.
.
.
.
Mayo Park
The original project was designed by the engineer Alvaro Bosain in 1910 and remodeled in 1827. After the big earthquake in 1944, new arrangements were introduced to finally give the park the present-day disposition it has. We can find playgrounds, an artificial lake and various sculptures and monuments like the Sports monument, General San Martin’s equestrian statue, Federico Cantoni’s monument and other distinguished busts.
.
.
.
Juan Victoria Concert Hall
It is one of the main cultural centers in San Juan. Designed for symphonic music, it has a capacity for 1.000 people, an orchestra pit for 70 musicians and a 90-people choir loft. There is an organ with 3,565 pipes and 61 registers. The room covered in wood allows for an excellent clear sound to be reproduced. Apart from the hall itself, you can visit the Music School and an amphitheater for 600 people.
.
.
.
Natural Science Museum
This comprehensive museum covers geology, mineralogy, botany and zoology. Fossils and fauna replica from Ischigualasto palaeontological fields date back to more than 150 million years. Among the different findings the most outstanding are samples from “Herrerasaurus Ischigualastensis” and “Eoraptor Lunensis” which are the most ancient testimony of some of the dinosaurs in the planet. The museum displays and endless collection of rocks and minerals typical of San Juan’s geology and mining potential.
.
.
.
Santiago Graffigna Museum
On November 2003, the Santiago Graffigna Museum was inaugurated to preserve the winery’s founders heritage and tradition.
The Graffigna family participated actively in the compilation of information and photographic,
audio and video archives, and in the oral transmission of spontaneous tales.
This exhibition is located in San Juan and has an area of 1,200 m2 and 1000 m2 more on the outside.
There is an auditorium where a film is shown, which was made from documents of great historical value
and an engine room where the winery’s press used to be.
In the casks patio visitors can make a stop under the fresh air of the first stumps.
The museum has a vineyard area where it is explained how grape harvesting used to be.
The area where the old offices used to be are can be visited as well.
The tour comes to and ends at the Wine Bar, with an original atmosphere,
for those who would like to take a souvenir from their visit or to taste the winery’s wine.
Visiting hours:
Monday to Saturdays from 9:00 to 17:30 (last visit) and Sundays and Holidays from 10:00 to 16:00
Tours and wine tasting in sign language.
Booking in advance.
.
RECOMMENDED TRAVEL AGENCIES
.
•TURISMO MERCEDARIO(Leg. 12399)
Entre Ríos 316 Sur - Capital - San Juan - Tel. 0264 4203777
español 
english 
deutsch 
