Cathedral Church of Saint Nicholas of Bari
The La Rioja Cathedral, located 1.5 km from our hotel, is also the sanctuary of Saint Nicholas of Bari (patron saint of La Rioja). It was built in 1910 and inaugurated in 1912, replacing the old Mother Church, destroyed by the 1894 earthquake. It was designed by architect Juan B. Arnaldi and blended various historical styles. Notable among these are the Byzantine facade, the fanciful Gothic of its bell towers, and the Italian Baroque proportions of its dome.
Sanagasta Geological Park
The Sanagasta Geological Park offers a glimpse into the past, containing fossils of dinosaur nests and plants dating back 65 to 95 million years. These discoveries were made by CRILAR, whose incredible findings revive the interest placed in the evolution, composition, and behavior of those great dinosaurs.
It is the department's main attraction, visited continuously and astonishing both young and old thanks to the dinosaur replicas placed along each route.
Talampaya National Park
Considered one of Argentina's most important tourist sites, Talampaya National Park attracts visitors not only for its scientific value but also for its unique scenic beauty. Historically, it was established as a Provincial Park in 1975 and later as a National Park in 1997. Its 215,000 hectares protect the archaeological heritage, as well as the flora and fauna belonging to the "Mountain of Sierras and Bolsones." In 2000, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site, as it constitutes one of the most important geo-paleontological sites from the Triassic period in the world.
Condor Ravine
The Sierras de los Quinteros Nature Reserve, in the region known as the "La Rioja Plains," in the south of La Rioja province, is considered one of Argentina's most important sites due to the large number of Andean condors that soar across the skies. It is one of the most visited sites, thanks to its wide variety of eco-adventure activities, hiking, trekking, horseback riding, and simply a place to relax and enjoy the silence and tranquility.
It has two viewpoints for observing native birds, as these areas are not only home to the king of the Andes, but also to other scavenger and raptor species such as vultures, eagles, falcons, and more.
If you want to spend some quiet days, disconnected from the city, don't hesitate to visit it.