Historic Archaeological Museum - House of the Marquis

Marqués Campero Av. no number Yavi
From Mondays through Saturdays from 9 to 12a. m.
and from 2 to 6p. m.

Work on the construction of a magnificent church, consecrated to St. Francis was completed in 1690, and it can still be appreciated as it was originally. The pulpit, altars and altar-pieces are gilded with gold leaf. The window frames and sanctuary are made of onyx. Paintings and outstanding wooden sculptures were brought from Cuzco, and the bells date back to 1795. There are 17th -century images, angels armed with harquebuses, and an articulated Christ dating from the same period. In 1708 the Marquis of Tojo and Yavi settled here with his family. Holy Week is commemorated with great devotion. The people descend from the mountains dressed in habits and carrying torches.
This museum operates in what is known as the House of the Marquis, the family living-quarters of the Marquis of Tojo and Yavi. The objects on exhibition are the family belongings, amongst which there are two editions of Don Quixote, one dating back to 1608 and the other to 1615. This city was crossed by the armies during the War of Independence and, later on, during the war against the Peruvian and Bolivian Confederation, it was occupied by Felipe Varela (1867) and in 1873 it was the epicenter of an uprising by the local population in its struggle for the recovery of its lands. The museum harbors historical documents, furniture and archaeological pieces that are proof of a period of past splendor.

Yavi
This town is located 314km. away from San Salvador de Jujuy and lies 3,440m above sea level. It can be reached by following national route No. 9 up to La Quiaca, and from there down provincial route No.5 up to Yavi. Yavi is an oasis in the midst of the arid Puna. Thousands of years ago, it was inhabited by Indians on account of its fertile soil and streams.