Between the Casona Histórica Wilfrido Figueroa, an unfinished railway structure and the hiking trails near San Antonio, Paclín Department offers a range of different highlights. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether you would like to focus more on cultural history, landscapes or local produce.
La Merced: Building history and engineering project
In La Merced stands the Casona Histórica Wilfrido Figueroa, an emblematic building dating from late 1884. In July 2024, after more than 70 years of vacancy, it was restored and converted into the Centro Tecnológico y Cultural de Paclín. It features a science laboratory, a robotics classroom, a language room and a microcinema, as well as spaces for exhibitions and cultural activities. The building thus combines its historical significance with cultural and technological uses.
The Túneles de La Merced are an unfinished engineering structure in Paclín Department. They were part of a railway project intended to cross the Sierra del Gracián and connect Catamarca with Tucumán and Argentina’s Northwest via the Ferrocarril General Belgrano. For reference, the tunnels are 5 km northeast of La Merced and 56 km northeast of the capital, Catamarca; distances may vary depending on how the route is measured. In this part of the department, a historic building and an unfinished infrastructure project thus represent two different ways of exploring history.
Nature and trails near La Merced and San Antonio
Laguna Escondida is a natural attraction in Paclín Department, located a few kilometres from La Merced. San Antonio, meanwhile, lies in a valley formed by sierras, where two rivers meet and which encompasses the southernmost extension of the Yungas. The valley of San Antonio offers a distinct landscape highlight alongside La Merced’s architectural history.
A 2021 article describes the old road from San Antonio to Balcozna as an opportunity to observe flora, fauna and historic estancias amid sierras and valleys. The same article mentions hiking on the trails in San Antonio as a possible activity. If planning a specific excursion, it is advisable to check current road and trail conditions.
Local produce and choosing a focus
Regional sweets and preserves, as well as homemade cheese and quesillo, are produced in La Merced. Together with the Casona, these products offer another local point of interest. Those wishing to focus on architectural history and local production can explore the themes of La Merced; for valley scenery and trails, the highlights described in San Antonio are the ones to consider.
A wider view of Catamarca
In the wider destination of Catamarca, El Shincal de Quimivil offers a distinct archaeological highlight. The Incas built the site between 1471 and 1536 at the foot of the Quimivil mountain range. It has an interpretation centre, signposted trails and a guided tour service; visitors should take local operating conditions into account when planning a visit. Catamarca’s landscapes also range from deserts and volcanoes to Yungas, forests and lagoons. This regional perspective complements the focus on the specific cultural and natural highlights in Paclín Department.
Discover more destinations: Andalgalá Department, Valle Viejo Department, El Alto Department, Ambato Department, Capayán Department, Belén Department, Antofagasta De La Sierra Department, Ancasti Department
For the broader travel overview: Catamarca.
