ATTRACTIONS

FORMER RESIDENCE OF THE CHIDIAK FAMILY
Built by Luis Tossi at the request of Manuel Chidiak, it was constructed with wood brought from Hua Hum. It presents details resembling Dutch architecture. When the Roca y Elordi residence was built, the family moved to new quarters. As from that date, it was occupied by different families. In 1991 it was refurbished as a restaurant and tea house by José De Leone, who did the first restoration of the home. Later, an extension was made, which modified the original building.

FORMER HOTEL LACAR
In 1910 Timoteo Ponce had this building erected. From the beginning it operated as a hotel. Some years before 1941 it belonged to Mr. Schroeder, who sold it that year to Mr. Carlos Weber, the present owner's father.
The hotel grew to 40 rooms and 80 beds in capacity, the first tourists in the area, local and foreign, were lodged there. For many years the Lácar hotel was the most important establisment for social activities in San Martin , hosting cinema shows, festivities, dances, celebrations, weddings and banquets, etc.
On March 31, 1986 it ceased to function as a hotel, and all the ground floor rooms were turned into stores.

FORMER NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
Rodolfo Köessler had this building constructed in 1930 to be rented by the Banco de la Nación , this being its first premises at this city. Construction was carried out by Pravato, one of the first contractors to operate in the area, and was finished in 1931. In 1967 the Bank moved to its own grounds facing Plaza San Martin .

Nº 5 SCHOOL BUILDING
The records state that School N° 5 started working on October 5, 1901 thanks to Celestino Pérez, the head of a Cavalry Regiment. It was located until 1904 in the Regiment, and then was taken over by the Third Section of Territorial Schools, based in Chos Malal. At first it was named the Coeducational Children's School and took its present name of National School N°5. The school was sited in a series of different buildings. At the request of the citizens, the Ministry of Public Works gave the National Parks the job of planning and building the current premises, built by the Compañía de Construcciones, and inaugurated in September 1948.

FERRETERIA CASO (CASO HARDWARE STORE)
This is an interesting building, whose design is influenced by the local (British-style) railway architecture. Originally, a wood house belonging to Enrique Chidiak occupied this spot. Later, Manuel Chidiak decided to have the present building set up by Luis Tossi. The building was inaugurated in 1938, and used as a general store. In the mid-60's Naiman rent it to set up a hardware store.

SARMIENTO SQUARE
As from the moment the town was "laid out" in 1898, this area was earmarked as a public plaza, although it was first used as a football field (from 1929 to 1934). In 1936 it was turned into a park, planted with the most exotic species, such as pines and sequoias, as well as other native ones, such as araucaria and maitén in the surrounding area. Its present appearance was defined after it was remodeled in 1994, with the addition of the bandstand, the crafts shop, children's games and the fountain. It is surrounded by buildings reflecting the stages in the development of the style of architecture of San Martin de los Andes.
This is a simple, undersized and soothing circuit. All one has to do is take a stroll around this attractive square located between San Martin Avenue and Sarmiento, General Roca and Elordi Streets.

LANIN NATIONAL PARK ADMINISTRATION
It was built in 1946 by Luis Bottini, according to the project of Bustillo. That is to say, when the current Civic Center was planned and Plaza San Martin was relocated. In its gardens the native flora of Lanín National Park may be seen. The features of the architectural style of this period (1940-70) are the use of stone, rustic woodwork on the upper floor, skylights below the roof and the use of wooden roof tiles. In working hours one can get details here on the Lanín National Park and its facilities.

LAKE LACAR
Of glacial origin, its silvery-blue liquid extends to the west, forming Lake Monthué, a natural extension of Lácar lake. Placed in Lanín National Park, this is Argentina's only lake to empty in the Pacific Ocean, through a complicated lake basin system that ends near the city of Valdivia.
When we get to the lakeshore boulevard, the panorama of the lake framed by mountain chains is awesome.
The city lies in the Lake Lácar basin, a wide plain called La Vega. This basin is essentially different from the others in the province, because it empties into the Pacific through the river Hua Hum.
The basin forms part of a physically characteristic system of the humid Andes, with wooded mountains, pampas, vegas (low-lying fertile areas), streams and rivers. The slopes of the surrounding peaks are covered with forests of lenga, raulí and roble pellín, this last up to 1,000 masl. The beaches are gravel, and are mostly located on the left bank, a few km from San Martin .
Its cold waters are utilized for different nautical sports and lake excursions to the border area of Hua Hum, during which the full magnificence of the lake can be appreciated.

La Playa
On this beachhead the lake has its widest and largest sandy beach. In summer it is used by residents and tourists alike for recreational purposes and bathing. The placid waters are ideal to practice canoeing, kayaking, sailing and water-cycling, the latter machines being hired out.

The jetty
All the main water activities are carried out from this jetty and supervised by the Argentinean Naval Coastguards.
The entire visible landscape, on and beyond the lake, is the jurisdiction of the National Parks Administration. In the past, before the creation of the National Park, forestry exploitation was the main commercial activity in this area.

La Islita (The Little Island)
If you go further along the lake shore, after around half an hour you will come to a small white-sanded beach, with a natural island closely offshore.
During your walk there, you will see the rural school building, and at the sides of the path, the homes of the population, in an idyllic setting of fragrant woods, grazing animals and fruit orchards. Some families offer homemade bread, cherries, raspberries or soda drinks for sale. In the summer season, if you take this path you will have to pay an entry fee to Mapuche community territory.

Lake Lácar:
Surface area: 50 sq km
Length: 24.7 km
Maximum Depth: 277 m
Median Depth: 178 m