City Museum

Pelagio B. Luna 250
Tel. 0822-23225
Open Tuesdays through Fridays from 7a.m. to 1p.m. and from 3 to 9p.m.

This museum was inaugurated in 1992 for the purpose of furthering the knowledge of the city, its people, scenery and symbols. In fact, its halls containing permanent exhibitions are referred to as halls on "permanent topics" covering aspects such as the development of the city and cultural habits throughout time. The museum holds periodical exhibitions of works by plastic artists from La Rioja and other provinces, lectures, panel discussions, conferences, courses, presentation of literary and musical works and theater shows. The museum operates in the former Pelagio B. Luna Sanitary Station (in commemoration of the man from La Rioja who was vice president of the nation during the presidency of Hipólito Yrigoyen). The construction of this building began in 1919 for the care of people suffering from malaria, typhus and tuberculosis, and interrupted its activities in 1948 when these illnesses were totally eradicated.
Also on exhibition are advertising signs belonging to different periods or shops, cash registers, safety boxes, a piece of furniture and chairs that belonged to 'La ópera', a very tradicional old tearoom in La Rioja. There is also a description of the history of local peddlers.

La Rioja
The city of La Rioja, capital of the province with the same name, lies at the foot of the Sierra de Velasco. The characteristic features of a Spanish colonial city blend with an active and lively commercial center. It is located 1,167km. away from the city of Buenos Aires and lies 500m. above sea level. To reach this city one must travel down national route No. 9 up to the city of Córdoba and then take national route No. 38.