Uspallata Vaults Historical Museum

Provincial Route No. 39 - Km. 12 San Alberto
Tel. No. of local office of government department: 02624-155570755
Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10a.m. to 1p.m. and from 3 to 6p.m.

The Uspallata Valley witnessed Huarpe occupation during pre-Hispanic times. The region has wealth of archeological remains dating back between 1,000 and 1,500 years up to the period of Incaic domination and the colonial period. It also went through a period of mine working and later on witnessed the passage of the liberation army. The vaults are located two kilometers away from the town of Uspallata. They were built by the Jesuits around 1600 to melt gold, silver and iron. They went out of operation early, in the 19th century. The museum comprises four halls and is a U-shaped building made of adobe with stone foundations. The domes covering the halls are ojive-shaped and are made of reeds interwoven with mud.
There is a 3-meter deep water mill dating back to the end of the 18th century. The walls have tunnels that were probably used to deposit unmelted noble metals.

Uspallata
Uspallata is distant 95km, from the city of Mendoza and lies 1,751m. above sea level. To get there one must travel along national route No.7 towards the northwest. This town, located in the midst of the Andes "cordillera" (mountain range) is a touristic attraction due to the Vaults and Huts located in Uspallata that have been declared National Monuments.