Sacred City of Quilmes

Sacred City of Quilmes - Calchaquí Valley

The Sacred City of Quilmes is known as the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina. It contains the remains of the final stronghold of indigenous resistance against the Spanish conquest, which surrendered in 1667. At that time, 1,700 survivors of the Quilmes people were led to the outskirts of Buenos Aires, where only 400 arrived alive.

On the slope of the hill lies the Sacred City, made up of reconstructions of the settlement, with its residential area, a fortress located on the summit, and two forts on the sides.

Visiting hours: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission: National Tourists $5,000; Foreign Tourists $10,000; Students and retirees: $4,000.

Quilmes Interpretation Center

Next to the Sacred City is the Quilmes Interpretation Center. Spanning four rooms and utilizing visual, auditory, and tactile resources, the center provides an insight into different aspects of the Quilmes' life. The first room tells the story of the community's origins and its settlement in the Calchaquí Valley. The second recreates scenes from their daily life, their family organization, and some emblematic sites of the Fortress City. There, visitors can see replicas of clothing, ornaments, weapons, farming and harvesting tools, and items used in religious and funerary practices. The third room is an auditorium showing a moving documentary that tells the story of the Quilmes people from their origins to their exile. The final room displays the laboratory where some pieces are still being studied.

Center Visiting Hours: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To arrive by private vehicle, take Provincial Route 307 from Amaicha del Valle for about 15 kilometers until it connects with National Route 40, then continue north for another 3 kilometers. A dirt road on the left leads to the site, and after an additional 5 kilometers, you reach the access point. If you don't have a vehicle, you can book tours from San Miguel de Tucumán or Amaicha del Valle.