La Merced: Experience Culture and History

La Merced combines historic architecture with local production; a nearby hike is another distinct option. For planning your trip, these highlights are easy to distinguish: the Casona Wilfrido Figueroa tells a specific architectural story in town, while the circuit around Laguna Escondida requires its own time commitment. You can decide whether to devote your stay primarily to cultural attractions in La Merced or add a longer activity in the surrounding area.

Historic Architecture and Guided Tours

The historic Casona Wilfrido Figueroa stands on a corner of the main square. It dates from late 1884. In July 2024, after more than 70 years of deterioration, the building was restored and converted into the Technological and Cultural Center of Paclín. This sequence links the house’s history in the late 19th century with its more recent transformation. For travelers interested in architecture and the later use of historic buildings, the Casona is a specific highlight in La Merced.

Guided tours are offered at the Casona: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The time slots vary by day of the week and public holiday status. Check the tour times again before you arrive and plan around the specific day of your visit.

The Chapel of the Virgen del Rosario is also one of La Merced’s attractions. A post dated February 1, 2026, places the Casa del Artesano in a historic building opposite the main square. Alongside the Casona, a chapel and another historic building add to the town’s cultural landmarks. The Paclín Tourism Directorate is also based in La Merced.

Regional Products and Crafts

Regional sweets and preserves, as well as homemade cheeses and quesillos, are made in La Merced. Local crafts include leatherwork and basket weaving. The town’s character therefore encompasses food production and crafts as well as historic buildings. These themes offer a different way to experience La Merced than its architectural history, focusing instead on regional products and different forms of craftwork.

Beyond La Merced, the Department of Paclín offers a culinary connection: Pimientos de Paclín are considered a local product associated with a gastronomic festival celebrating the identity and flavors of Catamarca. These regional aspects complement the themes associated with La Merced without conflating the wider context of the Department of Paclín with the town itself.

A Hike in the Surrounding Area

Near La Merced, Laguna Escondida has a 7-kilometer circular hiking trail. The hike takes four hours and is considered moderately difficult. Trail conditions and difficulty may vary by season. Allow four hours as a separate block of time and check conditions for your planned travel period. This makes it possible to plan the hike as a longer activity alongside the town’s cultural attractions, rather than treating it as a quick stop.

Discover more destinations: San Fernando Del Valle De Catamarca, Coneta, Cerro Negro, Tinogasta, Las Mojarras.

Return to the main travel overview: Catamarca.