Anquincila: River Landscape, Chapel and Nature

Anquincila is located on the eastern side of the Sierra de Ancasti, in a mountainous region at an altitude of about 1,010 metres above sea level. If you are looking for a hotel in Anquincila, you could make the river landscape, local cuisine, architectural history or fishing the focus of your trip.

River and Landscape

The Río Anquincila flows through the town. Its water is used there for consumption and irrigation; it then continues flowing northeast. The surroundings combine gentle hills, the river, native vegetation and the surrounding natural landscape. Both the watercourse and the hilly terrain are therefore defining features of the place.

Local Refreshments

Casa de Té La Jacinta serves seasonal breakfasts and afternoon snacks in a rural style. The offerings include picadas, cakes, pastries and drinks. The Casa de Té has an open-sided quincho with a direct view of the Río Anquincila. Bear in mind that it operates seasonally if stopping there is an essential part of your stay.

The Chapel of Anquincila

The Chapel of Anquincila dates back to 1853 and is a 19th-century building. It has a portico at the front with five pillars and horizontal lintels. In addition to its date, the portico offers a specific architectural detail: its five pillars and horizontal lintels define the shape of the entrance structure.

Getting There and Road Connections

From San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, the route to Anquincila follows Ruta Nacional 38. At El Portezuelo, the journey continues via the Cuesta del Portezuelo. Ruta Provincial No. 2 passes through the centre of Anquincila and continues to Villa de Ancasti. These details describe different sections: the route from San Fernando, the onward journey at El Portezuelo, and the road through town towards Villa de Ancasti.

Fishing at the Camping-Balneario

The municipal Camping-Balneario of Anquincila offers opportunities for fishing. If this is a deciding factor for your trip, check the current operating conditions before your visit.

Cultural Context in Departamento Ancasti

In the wider destination of Departamento Ancasti, Parque Arqueológico La Tunita and Cueva de La Candelaria are among the region’s archaeological sites. La Tunita protects significant rock paintings and the surrounding forest, which covers 2,000 hectares. Most of the paintings belong to the iconography of the La Aguada culture; they depict, among other things, big cats, hybrid beings and anthropozoomorphic figures. They reach their highest level of expression at the La Sixtina rock shelter.

Cueva de La Candelaria, also known as Cueva de la Salamanca, is also in Departamento Ancasti and contains a significant group of rock paintings. These are stylistically attributed to the La Aguada culture and interpreted as expressions with ritual and ideological functions. A free, interactive and immersive virtual tour has also been developed for Cueva de La Candelaria.

Discover more destinations: Concepción, Las Juntas, Ancasti

Back to the wider travel overview: Departamento Ancasti.