Río de Piedra Museum

Tel. 0822-32747 / 33410
Open all day long on Saturdays and Sundays

The Quechua name for this museum is Rumi Mayu, that means River of Stone ('Río de Piedra'). It was inaugurated in 1997 after an intense search undertaken by the Flores family aimed basically at recovering, displaying and preserving regional culture. One of its halls exhibits objects from the Neolithic period such as ceremonial axes, scrapers, objects for the worship of the 'Pachamama' (mother earth), utilitarian objects from the colonial period, and genuine native ceramic. In the other hall there is a display of objects for domestic use and ornamental objects. The courtyard harbors an interesting collection of mortars and 'conanas' (a specific type of mortar) from the preindustrial period. In the area known as the 'Umbral de las Tinajas' (the threshold of large earthen jars) vessels capable of holding up to 300 liters are exhibited. These vessels still preserve the scent of the wine drunk during the carnival celebrations and during the rural celebration of the harvest.

Sanagasta
Sanagasta is located 30km. away from the capital city, on national route No. 75 and lies 830m. above sea level in the middle of a valley with the backdrop of the Sierra de Velasco. According to some versions, Sanagasta means"'town capital"; others believe it means "town of black people". The chapel built in 1809 is worthy of being visited. The only thing that remains is a strong two-leafed door built in honor of the Indian Virgin, an image brought by the Indians from Peru on pack animals.