Susques: Chapel and Local Crafts

Susques offers several specific topics to help you plan your trip: the history of the Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Belén, craft traditions, and access via national highways. If you’re looking for a hotel in Susques, consider which of these aspects is especially important to your stay. This lets you think of the destination in terms of cultural history, local crafts, or getting there, without conflating these different aspects.

The Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Belén

The Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Belén is generally dated to 1598. This traditional date should be distinguished from later documentary evidence. In 1943, the chapel was declared a National Historic Monument.

The construction also offers a specific starting point for exploring the chapel. It is built entirely of adobe bricks; the roof structure, made of Cardón wood, is fastened with leather straps. For travelers interested in cultural history and architecture, the date and these construction details together provide a clearly defined picture of the chapel.

Feast Day and Crafts in Susques

The patron saint’s feast day at the Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Belén is celebrated every year on January 23. If this date is important to your travel plans, take the fixed date into account and check the latest festival information in advance.

Local crafts involve a variety of materials and techniques: in Susques, traditional ponchos are woven on handlooms; crafts are also made from stone and ceramics. The information therefore ranges from textile weaving to craftwork with stone and ceramics. These offer two specific ways to explore local tradition, without implying a visit to a workshop or the availability of items for purchase.

The Astronomical Center

The Centro de Observación Astronómica de Susques is located 1.5 kilometers from the town. In 2025, it was intended to introduce locals and tourists to astrotourism and connect tourism with science. Before visiting, check current access options and the program.

Getting There via National Highways

Susques is on National Route 40. From Purmamarca, paved National Route 52 is the best connection to Susques; it also connects the town with the Chilean border. Road conditions can change seasonally, so check local conditions before driving.

Susques Department: Regional Context

Beyond the town itself, Susques Department offers additional geographical points of interest. The Salar de Olaroz is located in Susques Department at an elevation of 4,500 meters above sea level.

Susques Department is also home to the Reserva Provincial de Flora y Fauna Olaroz-Cauchari, established in 1981. Covering more than 200,000 hectares at an elevation of over 4,000 meters, it protects the high-Andean biodiversity adapted to harsh climatic conditions. When choosing a hotel in Susques, you can distinguish the town itself from the broader regional perspective.

For the broader travel overview: Susques Department.