It literally means "Field of Lagoons" in native Mapuche language. Chascomús is a small and charming city pierced in the middle of the system of wetlands called Las Encadenadas (The Chained).

The city is famous for the lagoon that bears its name, an important sport-fishing centre for atherines, the most notable amongst its different species, but also for being the important administrative and commercial centre of a vast rural area.

In 1581, Don Juan de Garay went on an expedition south of from Buenos Aires; he wanted to accumulate more lands and find the Gold City. On his quest he found an area where salt water lagoons are abundant near the Samborombón River, becoming this the first account with relation to Las Encadenadas.

The town was born in the San Juan Bautista Fort, which in nits turn was founded on the 30th of May, 1779 by Commander Pedro Nicolas Escribano; it was called a city in 1873. It is needed to point out that rancher Richard Newton introduced wired fences in the pampas.

In spite of its modern physiognomy, Chascomús retains its colonial air and peculiar charm. The house, where according to tradition Rosas' advocates organised a party to celebrate their victory over the Freedom fighters from the South, is still standing on 123 Sarmiento St.

The urban layout has been enhanced with plazas and pedestrian boulevards. There is an equestrian statue of Liberator Don Jose de San Martin in the Independence Plaza, and a monument to the Free of the South made by Luis Perlotti in Liberty Plaza.

The zone is typical for its agriculture, stockbreeding production and trade. It also has the following industries: textile, metalwork, plastic, shoe, vermicelli, mosaics and milk industries, amongst others.

HOW TO GET THERE

By car
Through Buenos Aires - La Plata Highway, continuing towards Chascomús at the connection point with National Route Nº 2.

By train and bus
By train through the Roca Railway; besides, there are several long distance bus lines that cover the trip going from the capital up to Chascomús.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Chascomús Lagoon
It is the main tourist attraction of the city and one of the main in the Province of Buenos Aires because of the aquatic and recreational activities that it offers for pleasure. This 15 km long and 5 km wide lagoon is next to the urban zone, and the largest lagoon in the system of Las Encadenadas with a surface of 3044 has. Its average depth is of 1.52 m and the maximum of 2.50 m.

The bottom is made up of slime, clay and muddy sand; and its waters host pike characin, shads, wolf fish and especially atherine, which are protected by the authorities.

Two types of shores can be acknowledged in the Chascomús Lagoon: one abrupt with ravines and non floodable; and the other large, low and easily floodable. The former is predominant on the western shore, where it occupies more than 98% of the length; the latter, on the other hand, extends on the eastern shore.

One of the favourite areas for locals and travellers is the so-called Flight of Stairs, located in the most beautiful space on the shore. It has the Free of the South Park as its natural extension.

When the night falls, you can take part on the bonfires, where stand up comedians and humorists act one after the other, until late at night, when there will always be a recital where different local bands will provide Chascomús with night rhythm.

Chapel of the Black
It was founded in the year 1862 with the help of a so called Brotherhood of the Black. It has a plain structure with exposed walls, a zinc roof and a dirt floor. It houses a rustic table that works as an altar, and an image of the Black Virgin of the Miracles, an old carving venerated by the black people who use to live here. Beside it is the Virgin of the Rosary, surrounded by abundant offerings. This chapel was the assistance centre during the cholera and yellow fever epidemics, in the second half of the XIX century. It has been declared National Historic Place; and is located on Lamadrid and Venezuela Av.

Hydro-Biological Station
It was created in the year 1941 with the aim of repopulating the lagoons with atherine. Those visiting it can watch the functioning of the especial incubating installations during the egg-laying season (in the southern hemisphere's spring). It holds an educational and diffusion role that is exemplified on its aquariums, where house specimens of the ichthyic fauna live in its system of lagoons. It is located on Lastra y Juarez Av.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy
It is a temple of romantic style inaugurated in the year 1847. The light blue tiles that cover it enhance the beauty of its two church towers. Among its images, a Nazarene Christ with a truly expressive look stands out. It is placed on Lavalle and Sarmiento St.

Municipal Palace
It was erected in the year 1856 and re-inaugurated in 1941. Its colonial style has an obvious neoclassical influence. The primitive fort was built on this lot and the only way to reach it was through its bridge. It is located on Lavalle and Sarmiento Sts.

Brazzola Municipal Theatre
The works began in the year 1924 and was opened in 1927 after a few setbacks. The theatre was used as conference room by the famous Working-Class Circle. 90, Sarmiento Street.

Mausoleum of Chascomús
It was built in the place that used to be occupied by the cemetery to keep the remains of Don Domingo Lastra, his son, Don Gabriel Solá, and of other soldiers who fell in the Battle of Chascomús. There is a monolith a hundred meters away which marks the place where the battle took place on November the 7th of 1839. It is considered a National Historic Monument. Cramer St, between Sarmiento and Mitre.

Pampas Museum
It is a building of colonial style build in 1939; it is surrounded by a 20-hectare park superbly planted with trees. Its layout is comparable to the old House of Posts of the Argentine Mail Service, which was located in San Isidro. It has seven rooms where gaucho collections are shown along with prehistoric fossils, valuable religious objects, vestiges of the aborigines that inhabited the zone, and everyday life utensils that testify the social evolution of the city. Lastra y Jimenez Av.

SPORT ACTIVITIES

Aquatic
Different aquatic activities can be experienced in and on the waters of the Chascomús Lagoon, such as swimming, windsurfing, sailing and water skiing.

Canoeing - Kayaking
The calmed waters of this lagoon are excellent for the practice of these activities, and several local institutions provide the needed equipment.

Sport Fishing
This last activity is practiced from the shore or aboard rented vessels. The fishes more looked after are the atherine and the wolf fish.