Resistencia, the municipality associated with San Fernando Department, brings together public art, museums and historic sites. More than 660 sculptures in squares and along sidewalks form an open-air museum; the number may change over time. The region’s character is also shaped by squares with specific visitor facilities and a protected wetland.

Sculptures, Museums and Cultural Sites

The Bienal Internacional de Escultura brings artists from around the world to Resistencia every two years. The Bienal began in 1988; it was organized by Fundación Urunday and inspired by Fabriciano Gómez. The MUSEUM, or Museo de las Esculturas Urbanas del Mundo, hosts national and international sculpture biennials. If you are planning to attend a particular edition, check the specific event dates.

The Museo de Ciencias Naturales “Augusto Gustavo Schulz” is unique of its kind in Chaco Province. It has permanent exhibition rooms and a specialist library. The Museo del Hombre Chaqueño “Profesor Ertivio Acosta” focuses on a different subject: it preserves the tangible and intangible heritage of the Qom, Moqoit and Wichí Indigenous peoples, as well as that of Criollos and immigrants. Permanent exhibitions cover Chaco’s political history; there is also a room dedicated to Guaraní mythology. The museum topics thus range from natural history to history and mythology.

Casa de las Culturas is a cultural and exhibition center. The private association Fogón de los Arrieros preserves murals, paintings, prints, sculptures and woodcarvings. Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes “René Brusau” preserves works in various disciplines by notable Chaco artists. Paseo de Artistas y Artesanos is a fair featuring local handicrafts.

History in the Cityscape

Iglesia Catedral in Resistencia was inaugurated in 1898. It houses the marble sculptures “La Inmaculada” and “San Fernando” by Fabriciano Gómez. Casa por la Memoria del Chaco is a national historic site. At Lugar de Desembarco de los Primeros Colonos, a monolith commemorates the arrival of the first group of immigrants in Chaco on February 2, 1878.

The former railway is also part of the area’s history: Estación Resistencia, on the former Ferrocarril Santa Fe, was originally the terminus of a narrow-gauge railway. The railway reached Resistencia in 1907 and transported timber from the forests to industrial tanning centers. The station is therefore a historic landmark; the function described refers to the railway at that time.

Squares, Paths and Events

Plaza 25 de Mayo has a botanical garden with palms, Palo Borrachos, Ceibos, Algarrobos, Lapachos, red Quebrachos, Urunday and Tipás. Visitor facilities include wheelchair access, public restrooms and a play area. The paths are suitable for children. Parque de la Democracia offers paved paths for cyclists and skaters.

The Domo del Centenario “Zitto Segovia” in Parque 2 de febrero is a venue for artistic performances. The 36-hectare complex includes an amphitheater, green spaces, a fountain and large multipurpose areas. The sites therefore have distinct features: the Plaza combines a garden with visitor facilities, Parque de la Democracia has paved paths, and the Domo is an event venue with open spaces.

Humedales Chaco and the Wider Natural Area

Resistencia lies within the protected Humedales Chaco Ramsar site. The 508,000-hectare area extends across the eastern part of San Fernando, 1º de Mayo and Bermejo Departments. In the wider Chaco Húmedo, riverine forests and depressions with dense, free-floating vegetation are characteristic; locally, this vegetation is called “embalsados” or “camalotales.”

The wider Ramsar site is home to the Ciervo de los Pantanos (Blastoceros dichotomus), classified as endangered; the Lobito de río (Lutra longicaudis), classified as vulnerable; and the Lepidosirena, or “Lola” (Lepidosiren paradoxa), classified as rare. This wildlife and the habitats described are part of the wider Chaco natural area, while the sculptures, museums and historic sites here are located in Resistencia.

When looking for a hotel in San Fernando Department, this distinction is useful: the cultural sites are in Resistencia, while the nature information refers to the wider Chaco.

Discover more destinations: Resistencia, La Ramadita, Almirante Brown, Bermejo Department, Fray Justo Santa María De Oro Department, Mayor Luis Fonta, Independencia Department.

Back to the main travel overview: Chaco.