Condor Huasi Museum

Lavalle 393
Belén Cultural Center Tel. No. 0835-61259
May be visited from Mondays through Fridays from 8 to 12a.m.
and from 5 to 8p.m.;
Saturdays from 5 to 8p.m.

Exhibits include pieces from the Condor Huasi culture belonging to the early pottery period. This culture has two distinct ceramic stages: during the first, the pieces are black or grayish and are pumpkin-shaped. The second stage is characterized by geometric designs and color. The entire collection belonged to Eduardo Cura who gradually built it with pieces he gathered in the Condor Huasi area. Most of the pieces were taken from tombs. There are several musical instruments as well as ceramic and stone pipes.
There are also some tablets that were used to inhale snuff. There are polychrome or monochrome ceramics belonging to the Aguada culture decorated with condors and lizards. There are metal pieces belonging to the late pottery period and little stone masks found in funerary urns.

Belén
This city is located in the midwest of the province of Catamarca. It is situated on route No. 40,285km. away from San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, and 1,240m. above sea level. To reach this city one must take national route No. 38 upon leaving the capital city, up to its intersection with national route No. 60, and then drive down this route up to route No. 40. This whole stretch is paved. Belén lies 85km. away from Andalgalá down provincial route No. 48, which is a consolidated dirt road. In its fertile valleys there are plantations of nuts, grapes and anise. The local fauna includes llamas.