Pueblo Encanto

Pueblo Encanto is a theme park and cultural promenade of about 16 hectares located in the heart of Capilla del Monte, on the banks of the Calabalumba River and at the foot of Uritorco. Its main attraction is a Mudéjar-style castle erected at the beginning of the 20th century by Count Odilo Estévez Yáñez, a Spanish yerba mate magnate. The grounds combine the Hispano-Moorish palace with a Comechingón pucará where small basins used by native peoples to observe the sky are preserved. Add to this a quartz labyrinth, a guitar-shaped amphitheater, stone sculptures, and tree-lined paths. You can freely explore the park or take a guided tour inside the castle, which houses museum pieces. It's an activity suitable for the whole family and open year-round.

What makes this place unique

• Mudéjar-style castle with Seville tiles and a guided tour inside
• Comechingón pucará with stone basins used to observe the sky
• Quartz labyrinth associated with healing activities
• Guitar-shaped amphitheater and stone sculptures by poet Sebastián Alejandro
• 16-hectare wooded property on the banks of the Calabalumba River, at the foot of Uritorco

A bit of history

Construction of the property began in 1888 by order of Count Odilo Estévez Yáñez, a Spanish immigrant enriched by the yerba mate business (among his brands was 43). He built a summer mansion in Mudéjar style that he called Villa Firma, in honor of his wife Firma Mayor, completing it around 1927 with luxurious details such as Sevillian tiles. Estévez was a Freemason and interested in esotericism, and it is said that the castle was even prepared as a possible refuge for the dethroned King Alfonso XIII. The family, based in Rosario, used it for extended stays. In 1979, the poet Sebastián Alejandro acquired the property, renamed it Pueblo Encanto, and added stone sculptures. After a long period of closure, it was restored and reopened as a theme and cultural park in the early 2000s.

URI's tips

Take the guided tour of the castle to make the most of the count's history and the museum pieces, which aren't fully appreciated by just walking through the park. Arrive early to avoid the heat and crowds, and ask about the night experience if you want a different tour. Horseback riding is not an activity of Pueblo Encanto itself, but of other operators in the area (for example, in Agua de los Palos).

What to bring

Comfortable footwear for walking, sunscreen, hat, and water. In summer, swimsuit and towel if you use the pool. Camera and, depending on the season, a jacket for the afternoon.