Junín de los Andes, Starting point to landscapes of spectacular beauty
The oldest town in Neuquén (founded in 1883). Reflection of our history, tradition, religion, and of mapuche culture. Door to Lanín National Park. Excellent places for sport fishing; Chimehuín, Malleo, Aluminé, and Quilquihue rivers. Curruhué, Epulafquen, Paimun, Huechulafquen, and Tromen lakes, the exotic Epulafquen thermal waters.
The Lanin volcano; a trekking and mountaineering classic. Different options for camping, traditional lodging, regional gastronomy for different budgets, good connection to Chile, through international pass Mamuil Malal and access door to Corredor de los Lagos...
Junín de los Andes is the perfect combination of color and landscape. Spring, summer, autumn and winter. In Junín, every season has something special, superb, almost magical that feeds the eyes and nourishes the soul.
It is a small mountain town, with around 9.000 inhabitants, which is surrounded by a scenery of tremendous beauty. Its economy is based mainly on tourism and fruit growing. Junín constitutes an excellent tourist attraction in Patagonia. Home to Indian communities in the past, the town still keeps that mystery and respect for the land that those first inhabitants felt for this paradise where nature, culture, and history dwell.
Places to visit in town
San Martín Square. You will find the different existing tree species indicated with a sign. These are located exactly at the place where they were originally planted by Father Ginés Ponte and his collaborators. It is possible to see the autochthonous Araucaria Araucana or Pehuen, or even a sequoia brought from the United States.
El Mundo Privado de don Moisés (Mr. Moses Private World). You can find 400 pieces including Mapuche knitting, archeological remains, historical writings and a great variety of articles dating from the times of the old general store “La flor del día”.
Iglesia de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows Church). Towards 1951, the foundation stone of the parish church is laid. The name of the church is a reference to the fact that the night prior to its opening there was an important snowfall and, as its name hadn’t been decided yet, it was baptized this way.
In there lie the remains of Father Domingo Milanesio, who was the first Salesian priest that evangelized the area in 1892 and who definitely settled in 1895.
Today, it has become the Sanctuary Nuestra Señora de las Nieves y Laura Vicuña, inaugurated on December 8, 1999.
The mapuche museum contains several elements and historical documents, as well as archeological and paleontological remains, and mapuche elements.
Next to the town hall, there is Centenario square, inaugurated for the centenary of Junin de los Andes foundation (15/02/1883 – 15/02/ 1983). In this square, lie the remains of Sergeant Mayor Vidal, founder of the advance post that originated the settlement.
de las Nieves
The remains of Beata Laura Vicuña rested at the foot of this hill for some years. It is of easy access and it is also a panoramic point from which one can watch the entire Chimehuín river.
Useful addresses
Police Station N°25
Lamadrid and Ohiggins
Tel. (02972) 49-1110-1111
Town Hall
Ginés Ponte and Don Bosco
Telfax (02972) 49-1142/1183/1296
Tourist office
Telfax (02972) 49-1160
P. Milanesio 590 - (8371) Junín de los Andes
e-mail: turismo@jandes.com.ar