Villa Cura Brochero

Villa Cura Brochero carries the name of José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, a priest who spent decades in the second half of the nineteenth century riding a mule across the Traslasierra valley to reach scattered communities, building roads, schools and a retreat house in a region the state had largely forgotten. He was canonised in 2016, becoming the first Argentine-born saint recognised by the church, and the town he worked from has become a pilgrimage centre. Visitors see the parish church where his remains lie, the retreat house he built, and a museum in the old parish buildings with his personal effects, saddle and correspondence. The Panaholma river runs nearby, and the town sits within easy reach of the valley's resorts.

What you actually see

• The parish church - where the saint's remains are kept and venerated.
• The retreat house - the building he founded for spiritual retreats.
• The Brochero museum - his saddle, letters and personal effects.
• The valley setting - the Traslasierra plain with the sierras behind.

When to go

Year-round; the anniversary of his death in late January and the canonisation date in October bring large pilgrim numbers. Summer is hot and busy with valley holidaymakers. Museum hours are shorter on Mondays.

Honest expectations

This is a place of pilgrimage, and its interest is mainly religious or historical; travellers without that interest will find the town plain. Sites are small and the visit brief. During pilgrimage dates, accommodation across the valley fills.

Nearby

Mina Clavero is minutes north; Nono and the Rocsen museum lie south.