Villa Aberastain: History and Culture

Villa Aberastain, the administrative seat of Pocito, combines a focus on cultural history with a municipal minibus service. A replica of the Statue of Liberty stands in Plaza Libertad, while the Parish of Santa Bárbara has its own, older history. These different themes can help guide your hotel choice: Would you like to center your stay around the plaza and the statue, are you interested in the parish’s development, or do you also want to include the broader destination of Pocito? There, wine and landscape themes complement the local history and offer further interests.

Plaza Libertad and Local History

An identical replica of the Statue of Liberty is located in Plaza Libertad; the original stands south of Manhattan Island in New York. The government of San Juan Province purchased the replica in 1910. It was erected in what is now Plaza Libertad on July 9, 1931. More than two decades passed between its purchase and installation. The plaza is considered a tourist attraction in Villa Aberastain and gives the monument a distinct local connection.

The Parish of Santa Bárbara

The Parish of Santa Bárbara offers a different historical perspective. Its history dates back to a chapel built in 1889. Construction of the permanent church building began in 1971; it was inaugurated after the 1977 earthquake. For the replica, the key dates are its purchase and installation; for the parish, they are the chapel’s origins, the later construction of the church, and its inauguration after the earthquake. The Directorate of Culture is also located in Villa Aberastain, in the cultural building opposite Plaza La Libertad.

Minibus and Getting Your Bearings at the Plaza

Two accessible bus stops were installed in Plaza de la Libertad on August 13, 2024. The municipal minibus departs daily from 10 a.m. from the Casa de Turismo y Cultura, opposite Plaza de la Libertad. The stops in the plaza and the minibus departure point opposite it are separate landmarks to help you find your way. The minibus service is free; separate fees may apply for tastings, lunch, or other activities offered at the businesses visited. Check departure information before your visit, as arrangements may change.

Pocito as a Broader Travel Destination

The broader destination of Pocito can be reached from the city of San Juan via several routes, including National Route 40, Alfonso XIII, Avenida Intendente Joaquín Uñac, and Calle Chacabuco. On Pocito’s Wine Route, visitors learn about wine and sparkling wine production and can then taste the products. The route includes underground cellars, large stainless-steel tanks, and walks among vineyards with views of the mountains of Pocito. Wine production and landscape provide their own themes alongside Villa Aberastain’s focus on cultural history.

A patron saint festival is held every year in the broader destination of Pocito in honor of Saint Barbara, the community’s patron saint; specific dates may vary. Cerro Valdivia in Pocito is also part of this regional context: it is considered a geological heritage site of San Juan Province and offers panoramic views of the Precordillera and the Tulum Valley.

Use the themes that matter to your plans as a guide, then check the specific details in each hotel listing.

Go to the broader travel overview: Pocito.