Historical Jesuitical Museum of La Banda

Located 1km. away from Tafí del Valle.
One must take Diego de Rojas Ave. and cross the bridge over river Tafí. Tel. 0867-21020
Open Mondays through Saturdays from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Sundays from 9 to 12a.m.

This museum functions in the house on the farm that formerly belonged to Juan Manuel Silva. It is a historical, religious and archaeological museum. The chapel was built in 1718 by the members of the Society of Jesus. Upon the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, it was transfered to well known local families, until it was acquired by the Frías Silva family in the 19th century. It harbors important archaeological pieces belonging to the early and late periods of the pre-Hispanic, colonial and postcolonial Tafí culture. All these pieces were gathered in the archaeological sites in the area. It also has images that were brought from Peru such as that of St. Joseph and Infant Jesus, and Our Lord of Patience, both of which are carved in polychrome wood and cloth coated with size. There is also a bell cast by the Calchaquí Indians in 1700 and an image of the Virgin of Mercy which is the only image of Spanish origin. The museum also houses European furniture that used to belong to the Silva family and a harmonium operated with air.

Tafí del Valle
This town lies 107km. away from the city of San Miguel de Tucumán on provincial route No. 307. Upon leaving the provincial capital one must take national route No. 38 up to its intersection with route No. 307. It is located 2,000m. above sea level and the entire valley harbors remnants of the cultures that inhabited the area since before 300 B. C. It owes its name to the Diaguita word "Taktillakta" that means "The town of the splendid entrance".