San Martín´s Cell Historical Museum

Laprida 57 West
Tel. 0264-4230291
Open Mondays through Fridays from 9 to 12:30a.m.

The museum comprises a main gallery the Historical Cell, the Council Chamber and a gallery at the back. In the courtyard stand an olive tree that is over 400 years old and a 200-year-old carob tree that San Martín (José, 1778-1850, South American general and statesman, born in Argentina: leader in winning independence for Argentina, Peru and Chile; protector of Peru 1821-22) used to tie his mule to. San Martín was here between July 9 and 14 of 1815 (some historians believe he was also here in the month of May of that same year) preparing his campaign across the Andes. The building dates back to the early 17th century and was not destroyed by the earthquakes of 1894 and 1944. On exhibition in the courtyard are two large bells cast in 1778 that tolled to announce the victory of Chacabuco. The Council Chamber has a gable roof made of reed and still preserves its original brick floors. The cot strapped with leader thongs that San Martín used during his stay at this house is still preserved in the cell that he slept in.

San Juan
San Juan, capital of the province of San Juan, was shaken by an earthquake in 1944 and was rebuilt on a modern design with a large number of parks and promenades. It lies 1,050km. away from the city of Buenos Aires along national routes No.7 (up to the city of San Luis) and 147. Another alternative is to travel up to Mendoza and then take route No.40 up to San Juan. The city harbors the natal homes of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento and Fray Justo Santa María de Oro. The province has important tourist attractions, the most traditional of which is known as the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley).