The historic center of Molinos presents a unified picture of adobe buildings. Eighteenth-century buildings include double-leaf corner doors. In Seclantás, weaving traditions take center stage: the town is known as “Cuna del Poncho Salteño” (Birthplace of the Salta Poncho), and weavers preserve the traditional technique of weaving on the telar de palo plantado (a loom with a planted pole). Architecture and craftsmanship thus offer different insights into the culture of Molinos Department.
Local History and Historic Churches
The Church of San Pedro Nolasco de los Molinos is designated a National Historic Monument. It holds the remains of Nicolás Severo de Isasmendi, the last Spanish governor of the Intendancy of Salta del Tucumán before the Revolution. Another place to discover the local culture is the Casa Indalecio Gómez Interpretation Center. Located in Indalecio Gómez’s former home, it is dedicated to cultural activities and education for the local population.
Seclantás also brings together religious heritage and local history. The Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen was built in 1835 and is considered an outstanding example of vallista folk art. The First Vallista Junta was convened in 1814 in Plaza La Junta. Seclantás was therefore designated a National Historic Site on February 18, 1975. The church and plaza each offer a distinct way to explore the town’s history: one through folk art, the other through an event connected with Seclantás’s historic designation.
Experience the Art of Weaving
Along the Camino de los Artesanos in the hamlet of El Colte, weavers welcome visitors into their homes. This alternative route runs parallel to National Route 40. The artisans showcase textile works such as blankets, fabrics, ponchos, tapestries, shawls, ruana cloaks, saddle bags and sashes. Visitors especially interested in textile crafts will find a different perspective here from that offered by Molinos’s architecture and historic sites.
At Casa DĂaz in Seclantás, groups can take part in a clay-oven cooking experience with advance reservations. Activities include gathering firewood, loading the oven and kneading the dough. Empanadas, meat, vegetables, homemade bread, bollos and bizcochos are prepared and then sampled. Advance reservations are required for this experience.
The 16th edition of the El Seclanteño Festival included the sale of textile crafts during the event and throughout the summer. The program also featured weaving demonstrations on a loom, local producers’ markets, gaucho gatherings and various cultural activities in historic venues around town. These details refer to that edition and do not confirm a current program. In October 2023, a new entrance pavilion was also opened in Seclantás. The complex included landscaping, public lighting, illuminated stone walls and floors, wooden benches, trash bins and a drainage system.
Festivals, Landscapes and Getting Around
Molinos’s patron saint festival takes place every year in late January; the exact dates may vary. The Festival Nacional del Poncho, Doma y Folklore is held as part of the celebrations. If you are planning your visit around particular interests, the historic sites and churches offer a different focus from the weaving arts or festive traditions.
At Cerro Overo, at the foot of which Molinos lies, a marked trail leads to the summit and onward to the Cruz viewpoint. Trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out. The pre-Columbian ruins of El Churcal are about 8 kilometers from Molinos, at an elevation of around 1,800 meters. Molinos also has a protected area for vicuñas, an endangered camelid species. Route 40 is another point of reference for getting around: in Salta, it runs through the Valles CalchaquĂes and Puna regions and is connected with Molinos.
Across the broader destination of Salta, the landscape ranges from the dry Puna to lush green jungle. This span describes the province as a whole and complements the more focused view of the history, weaving traditions and landscapes of Molinos Department.
Discover more destinations: Molinos, Gral. MartĂn Miguel De GĂĽemes, Cachi Department, Rosario De Lerma Department, Capital Department, Rosario De La Frontera Department, La Viña, Rivadavia Department
Go to the main travel overview: Salta.
