Museum of the 'Caudillos'

Located in Chepes Viejo, 9km. away from Chepes down a dirt road.
Chepes Cultural Center Tel. No. 0821-20131

In pre-Columbian times, this area was inhabited by the Ologastas, and it was also explored by the first Spanish expeditions that penetrated our territory. The large old 19th century house that harbors the museum belonged to Apolinar Tello, and the museum was founded by the priest Ángel Nardillo in 1976. Amongst its exhibits there are Indian objects and war weapons and uniforms dating back to the times of Chacho Peñaloza and Facundo Quiroga. There are also stuffed animals, puma (cougar) skulls, lion hands, leather trunks, large chests, lances that belonged to the 'montoneras', and funerary vessels. There is also a set of living room furniture that belonged to Joaquín V. González as well as historical documents. Chepes Viejo is a small village founded in 1720 and inhabited by only five families.

Chepes
This city is located in an area of flat land in La Rioja 225km. away from the capital city and 652m. above sea level. It is situated on provincial route No. 29 and is a picturesque town that dates back to the second decade of the 18th century.