With the Capilla de San Vicente Ferrer, Nonogasta offers a direct connection to the town’s history: the chapel is part of the Circuito de las Capillas and houses an oil painting from the Cuzco School. Other highlights include the Parroquia de La Candelaria, an October procession tradition and the Tour de Nonogasta, a walking tour of the main tourist attractions. Churches, religious traditions and the walking tour offer distinct perspectives on the town.
Capilla San Vicente Ferrer: Architecture and Art
The Capilla San Vicente Ferrer was built by Nicolás Dávila in the early 19th century. It has a single nave and a choir at the rear. Thick adobe walls with niches define the structure. A single-nave floor plan means there is one main space; the choir and wall niches add distinct architectural features.
The Cristo de la Paciencia is on the altar. The chapel also houses the oil painting “El Bautismo de Cristo,” attributed to the Cuzco School. Its title and artistic attribution add an art-historical dimension to the church interior, alongside its construction date and spatial layout. The vineyards in its rural surroundings add a landscape dimension to its architectural and artistic features.
Churches and Traditions in Nonogasta
The Parroquia de La Candelaria is also located in Nonogasta. A local tradition honors Saint Vincent Ferrer, linking his feast day—the third Sunday in October—with a large procession through the streets. If you would like to plan your trip around the occasion, check the current program in advance.
Walking Tour and Getting Around
The Tour de Nonogasta is a walking tour of the town’s main tourist attractions. It takes in several local points of interest rather than focusing on just one building. Check the latest practical information about the tour before your trip.
The Capilla de San Vicente Ferrer is in Nonogasta, 15 km from Chilecito. Routes 74 and 40 meet in Chilecito. The distance between the two towns and the junction there are presented as separate details.
More Culture in the Departamento Chilecito
In the wider travel destination of Departamento Chilecito, the Church of San Buenaventura is located in Vichigasta. It is considered the oldest church in the department and dates to the mid-17th century. Its original single-nave layout, thick adobe brick walls and wooden roof structure of rafters and purlins have been preserved. San Buenaventura is part of the Circuito de las Capillas and was declared a National Historic Monument under Law 24,852 of 1997.
Another cultural landmark in Departamento Chilecito is Samay Huasi, in the district of San Miguel. The manor house, built in the early 19th century, was given its name by JoaquĂn VĂctor González after he acquired it, drawing on the Quechua word for “house of rest.” Its gardens include the Puerta de Micenas, a gallery of roughly worked monoliths representing the seven Greek sages, and the Puerta Etrusca. Samay Huasi also houses a small museum and an archaeological, anthropological and paleontological collection covering minerals and natural sciences, including preserved native birds.
Discover more destinations: Santa Florentina, Chilecito
Go to the wider travel overview: Departamento Chilecito.
