Molinos Department: Crafts, Churches and History

Visitors looking to discover architectural history, weaving traditions and local festivals in Molinos Department will find several places to start. Molinos and Seclantás represent different aspects of architectural and cultural history, while El Colte offers a look at textile craftsmanship.

Architectural history and historic sites

The historic center of Molinos has a cohesive appearance, with its adobe buildings. Eighteenth-century buildings include houses with double-leaf corner doors. The Church of San Pedro Nolasco de los Molinos is designated a National Historic Monument. It holds the remains of Nicolás Severo de Isasmendi, the last Spanish governor of the Salta del Tucumán intendancy before the revolution.

The Centro de Interpretación Casa Indalecio Gómez is housed in Indalecio Gómez’s former residence and is dedicated to cultural activities and education for the local population. In Seclantás, the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen was built in 1835 and is considered an outstanding example of folk art from the valleys. Plaza La Junta is also connected to local history: the First Vallista Junta was convened there in 1814. Seclantás was therefore designated a Lugar Histórico Nacional on February 18, 1975.

Weaving and local traditions

Seclantás is known as the “Cradle of the Salteño Poncho.” Weavers there preserve the traditional technique of weaving on the Telar de palo plantado loom. In the hamlet of El Colte, the Camino de los Artesanos runs parallel to National Route 40 as an alternative route. Weaving artisans welcome visitors into their homes and show them textile work such as blankets, fabrics, ponchos, tapestries, shawls, ruana cloaks, saddle bags and sashes.

The program for the 16th edition of the El Seclanteño Festival included the sale of textile crafts during the event and throughout the summer, demonstrations of loom weaving, markets featuring local producers, gaucho gatherings and cultural activities in historic spaces. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Casa Díaz in Seclantás offers another way to combine crafts and regional cuisine: groups can take part in a clay-oven cooking experience by prior reservation. It includes gathering firewood, loading the oven and kneading the dough. Empanadas, meat, vegetables, homemade bread, bollos and bizcochos are prepared and then sampled.

Molinos’s patron saint festival takes place every year at the end of January; the exact dates may vary. The Festival Nacional del Poncho, Doma y Folklore is held as part of the celebration. If you are traveling for these festivities, check the dates before your trip.

Hiking trails and getting your bearings

On Cerro Overo, at the foot of which the town of Molinos lies, a marked trail leads to the summit and continues to the Cruz lookout point. Trail conditions may change, so check them before setting out. The pre-Columbian ruins of El Churcal are also nearby, about eight kilometers from Molinos at an elevation of around 1,800 meters.

Molinos has a protected area for vicuñas, an endangered camelid species. For a broader sense of the area, the town is connected to Route 40, which runs through Salta in the Valles Calchaquíes and Puna regions.

A new entrance pavilion opened in Seclantás in October 2023. The facility includes landscaping, public lighting, illuminated stone walls and floors, wooden benches, waste bins and a drainage system. As amenities may change, check what is currently available before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Molinos, Rivadavia Department, Cerrillos Department, Rosario de la Frontera Department, Tafí del Valle Department, La Viña, Rosario de Lerma Department, La Caldera Department.

For the main travel overview: Salta.