El Molino: Culture and Route 40

Tolombón is located in the surrounding area of El Molino; the ruins of the pre-Hispanic city, with its complex system of fortifications, are archaeological points of interest. You can consider which of these will shape your trip when choosing where to stay.

Cultural History and Architecture

Nearby are the ruins of Tolombón, a pre-Hispanic city in Salta Province. A national decree declared them a historic monument in 1944; the ruins include a complex system of fortifications. This provides two perspectives for understanding the site: its historical period and the structure of its fortifications. The term “system of fortifications” draws attention to the structure of the ruins and complements their classification as a pre-Hispanic city. Tolombón is therefore a specific point of interest for travelers interested in archaeological sites.

In Cafayate, there is a 19th-century church with a narrow nave and a tower. The nave is the main space of the church building; its narrow shape and the tower are two specific architectural features. Cafayate offers an example of church architecture and proportions, while Tolombón is known for the ruins of a pre-Hispanic city with a complex system of fortifications.

Route 40: Landscape and Trip Planning

On the stretch of road south of Cafayate, Route 40 passes through a wine-growing area lined with straight rows of poplar trees and crosses the Tolombón River. Vineyards, the regular rows of trees, and the river crossing are all features of this same stretch of road. This gives the landscape a specific connection to the route and distinguishes it both from the ruins near Tolombón and the church architecture in Cafayate.

The excursion on Route 40 starts in Cafayate and covers 112 kilometers round trip on a paved road. Additional destinations include Santa María, 54 kilometers farther on; Amaichá del Valle, 28 kilometers farther on; and Tafí del Valle. The figures serve different purposes: 112 kilometers describes the round trip, while the other two figures indicate additional kilometers for the respective destinations. This makes it possible to distinguish the length of the excursion from possible extensions.

The main square in Cafayate is the endpoint of the El Molino–Cafayate cycling stage. Its planning approach differs from the excursion starting in Cafayate: Cafayate is the endpoint for the stage, but the starting point for the Route 40 drive. If you want to include the cycling stage, check in advance whether it is available during your intended travel period.

The locations differ geographically: Tolombón is in the surrounding area of El Molino; the church is in Cafayate, and the landscape along Route 40 lies to the south. You can choose where to stay based on your planned itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Chicoana, Cafayate, Cachí, San Juan De Dios, San Ramón De La Nueva Orán, El Chañar, Antilla, El Encón.

For the overview of the wider region: Salta.