ATTRACTIONS

WHAT TO VISIT
San Martin de los Andes was always famous for promoting its natural landscapes that are typical of the Andean area. However, it has 105 years of history behind it that tells us, especially through its architecture, and the materials used in it, all about the nature of its inhabitants as well as their connections with their environment.

To start a tour of the urban center where the first settlers made their homes, and set up their stores and other businesses, we should stop an instant to scan those details that often are overlooked both by residents and visitors.

Worth having a look are the Mirador Bandurrias lookout, near the city, on the road to the Hua-Hum International Pass, lakes Lolog, Curruhué Chico, Curruhué Grande and Paimún, as well as the thermal springs of Lahuen-Co, also known as "Baños de Epulafquen", 6 km from the fishing port on the shores of Lake Epulafquen.

THE CITY
San Martin was first peopled a mostly immigrant population, and its architecture reflects this fact of trans-culturalism. With their baggage, they brought along their building techniques and styles of their fatherland.

The new village quickly filled with wooden buildings, because the surrounding woods offered large quantities of high quality wood. The village soon acquired a typical mountain-village personality. This did not remain unnoticed by its visitors, who appreciated the "warmth" and "simple beauty" of its architecture. One example is the Chidiak family huose, located on the corner of General. Roca and Sarmiento, and built in raulí wood. The same happened with the public buildings that today form its cherished architectural heritage.

The buildings of each of the period styles blended well with the rest of the urban environment, reflecting the commitment that the population of San Martin de los Andes had made to achieve the harmonious growth of their city maintaining a local architectural style, enhancing its cultural legacy and, essentially, respecting the natural environment.

CIVIC CENTER
San Martin square is the city's historical hub, where all social activities takes place. Important events, such as the Trabún, an art festival that attracts musicians, and many other different expressions of culture which are held in December each year. Around it are found, on a year-round basis, the display stands of local craftsmen and a store selling fine local food products, fruit preserves, dried wildflowers, and the like.
Surrounding this square, and in the vicinity, are located the main public buildings; many of them are of considerable historical and architectural value:
The nerve center of the city is its Centro Cívico (Civic Center), adjacent to Plaza San Martin . There the traveler will find the Lanín National Park Administration, the Municipality (Town Hall), the Post Office and some banks. The most interesting buildings to visit in San Martin are the "Museo Municipal Primeros Pobladores" (Museum of the First Settlers) and the "Museo Privado de Ciencias Naturales" (Private Natural Science Museum).

MUSEO MUNICIPAL
Constsructed in 1931 by Luis Tossi, this minimally designed building housed the First San Martin de los Andes Development Committee, later the municipal authorities and, after the inauguration of the current Municipality building, it was left vacant. In 1959 it was physically moved to the Municipal Deposit of Building Materials and was there used as a warehouse, lodging and canteen for workmen. However, in 1988it was reinstated in its original site to be used as a museum. The present Municipal building is on its left.
As from September 1996 this museum is open to the public every day with its own staff.
Visiting timetable:
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: noon to 9 p.m.

SAN JOSE THEATER
This was the first chapel in the area, built by Salesian missionaries. The original roof made of cypress tiles can still be seen under its modern roofing.
In1982, it was acquired by the Council to be reconditioned and used as a theater. It is also the headquarters of the local Dirección Municipal de Cultura (Municipal Cultural Committee).
On April 30, 2000 the theater's main auditorium was called "Jorge Villalba" after a popular local theater patron.

HOLL FAMILY RESIDENCE
Built in1938 by contractor Guillermo Alder for Ricardo and Selfora Höll, it was later sold to a Danish family who transformed it into the Copenhagen Residential Hotel. In 1965 the property was bought by Pablo Gingins and his wife María Obeid, and was to be used as their residence. It has a design simple and symmetrical, prominently featuring the skylight and doorway. It is a good sample of good restoration techniques, because the original building was extended without changing its basic features.

CASTILLO FAMILY RESIDENCE
This building was set up in 1923 by Luis Tossi, following the instructions of Rodolfo Castillo, married to Aurora Lisazo, as a home for the Carlos Rameri family. Castillo, already owner of half the block, built a new home for the Rameri family, taking over the house. Then he rented it to Dr. Minujín, who almost burnt it to the ground in a fire caused by his attempt to light a barbecue with petrol. However, the owner didn't hesitate and built it again. Later, it was rented for various years by the Customs Administration, and finally sold in 1943 to the Compañía General de Construcciones, that held it for 10 years, after which it was bought back by the son of the original owner, then deceased.

RAGUSI FAMILY RESIDENCE
This house was built in 1930 by Antonio Ragusi, one of the children of Domingo Ragusi and Josefa Proto. Antonio lived there with his family until he built another house, leaving the original as a rented lodging for bachelor schoolteachers. In 1950 it was let to the National Parks Club, and their social headquarters was set up there, attended by Juan Trevisán. Members of the community used it as a gathering place for chats, card games, barbecues or to have a glass of wine in good company. When the premises were sold, Rodolfo Castillo bought the house, moving it to its present location. It was split into two parts, fixed onto a firm platform, and rolled on logs to its new position with the aid of road-building equipment. Afterwards, it was rented to its first tenant, Mariano Karzminchuk.