Those coming to this locality, situated at a little over 100 kilometres from Buenos Aires, could have never imagined that the otters were the true culprits regarding the name of this city (Wolfs).

Once here, travellers are told that in the year 1778, a fort was established in the place by order of Viceroy Vertiz to protect it from the attacks of the natives, and that the newcomers called the otters, which pullulated in a nearby lagoon, aquatic wolfs.

Later, in the year 1883, the town projected its development around a chapel raised in honour of Our Lady of Carmen, built by the founder of the city, Don Jose Salgado.

The city keeps old constructions from the XIX century, with ample corridors, tiled patios, cisterns and artistic iron grids. There are traditional warehouses and shops still standing in the zones of the villas.

The entrance, along Hipolito Irigoyen Avenue, also shows isolated samples of houses from the early XX century, with art nouveau iron grids and neoclassical elements. Following Buenos Aires Street you reach the main plaza, where the building of the Social Club, of art deco features, stands out. Adjacent to it is the Municipality, with a plaque that states the town's origin.

In Lobos travellers can find diverse ways of having fun, some will play 18 holes and others will hastily escapade to fish at the lagoon. It is also possible to take part on flying and parachuting baptises; and lastly, to sit at a table and ask for an economic menu. There are also the unavoidable grills and the offer of country sauces, honeys and cheeses along the way.

HOW TO GET THERE

Along Riccheri Highway, which is accessed from Puente Uno through Jorge Newberry Avenue (with a new two-lane road)), or along the access to Route 205. You should drive carefully coming from Ezeiza along this route, for there are some sectors undergoing an enlargement construction process up to the crossing with Cañuelas. You then follow Route 205 up to the kilometre 111.5, where the detour to the lagoon is.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The Lagoon
This water mirror constitutes one of the main recreational and sport tourist attractions of the zone. It has a surface of 800 hectares that are part of the Hydrographical System of the Salado River, with a total basin adding up to 1800 square kilometres. The lagoon's depth varies between 1.50 and 2 metres.

It is framed in a welcoming natural environment, 15 kilometres southeast of the urban core of the City of Lobos, at 115 kilometres from the Federal Capital, and at 135 kilometres from La Plata.

There are diverse fishing clubs and a few camping areas and inns along its shore, which allow tourists to spend and enjoy more than one day at the place with all the necessary comfort.

This lagoon is also ideally suitable for rowing, or riding on a motorboat with engines of up to five HP. Regarding other sports, you can also sail, windsurf, sport fish and ride on a jet ski.

All sorts of colourful vessels gather on the 90-hectare waters of the Salvador Maria and Los Lobos Bays during the motor-nautical season, which goes from December to March.

The "Festival of the Sport Fisher", which has been declared of tourist municipal, provincial and national interest, takes place since January of 1988.

Agricultural Engineer Ernesto Hiriart Municipal Park
It is a 17-hectare park magnificently wooded with very old species such as eucalyptuses, lime trees, palm trees, so called paraisos, and a variety of pine trees. It has a cultural centre and an amphitheatre, and is also the seat of the Fermin Villarruel Sport Compound, inaugurated in October of 1981. It has installations for the practice of athletics, volleyball, handball, basketball, cycling, skating, bowl court, etc. It is located on Salgado Oeste and Independencia Streets.

Fort Lobos Aero and Golf Clubs
It is a sport compound in a natural setting ideal to be enjoyed in the company of your family and amongst friends, located at seven kilometres from the city going along National Route N 205 (Km 107). It houses the School Club of Argentine Parachuting, an 18-hole golf court, the Airplane Modelling Club, a swimming pool, soccer fields and beach volleyball.

Shoot of the Pine Tree of San Lorenzo
A pine tree was planted on August the 17th of 1948 to remember General San Martin and his grenadiers; it was blessed by parish priest Emilio Larumbe. This pine tree, which is located in the 1810 Plaza, roughly before the Church of Our Lady of Carmen, was declared Historical, Cultural and Natural Patrimony of Lobos.

Lobos Train Station
It is a magnificent sample of English architecture of that period, which has been declared Cultural Patrimony of Lobos.

Cross of the Jesuits
The Catholic Mission arrived in Lobos in the year 1872, and there are some remains of that arrival, such as the wooden crosses on masonry pedestals located in the northern part of the town, on the banks of the Salgado Canal. The year they were raised is written on their bases, and a similar one was erected on Peron Street, to the south.

1810 Plaza
It is the main plaza, located before the Church of El Carmen; the lot was donated for this purpose by Don Manuel Antonio Caminos, the first Peace Judge of the party. In the beginning it was called Buenos Aires, until the centenary of the independence, when it was designated with the name of 1810 Plaza. It currently has a dense grove, plaques, busts, monuments, and the landmark of the Military Geographic Institute marking the 100th kilometre. It is located between Salgado, Buenos Aires, Belgrano and 25 de Mayo Streets.

Tucumán Plaza
It is a plaza characterised for having a dense grove and winding trails, in whose centre is sitting the bust of General Manuel Belgrano. It was one of the ring race centres and a gathering place during the Feast of San Cono, a saint of the Italian community, in 1953 and 1954. It is located between O. Piñeiro, Las Heras and Ratti Streets.

Juan Domingo Peron Museum and Library
The natal house of Juan Domingo Peron, with a façade of Italian lines as was usual by the late XIX century, is located on 1300 Buenos Aires Street. In spite of having been refurbished, the house keeps its original architecture and currently operates as a museum and library, established by Virgilio Martinez de Sucre on October the 25th of 1953.

It has different exhibition rooms such as:

8th of October Room: there is a series of still photos of Eva Peron since her birth up to her death; it also holds the bureau and prevision suites from 1943, a bust of Eva Peron and documents and personal belongings of Juan D. Peron.

25th of October Room: it commemorates the inauguration date of the museum, and the visit the general paid to his natal house; it has clothes, shoes, handkerchiefs, gaucho silverworks, plaques, personal belongings and several documents; there is also a collection of photographs of Peron in Lobos.

Centenary Room: it is a room habilitated on October the 8th of 1955 that commemorates the centenary of the thrice president of the Argentines. There is a collection of weapons and other objects donated by Peron; and the skull and weapons, along with documents, of gaucho Juan Moreira.

17th of October Room: it bears this name because the belongings displayed in it were brought from the 17th of October Villa, located in Madrid, Spain. It hosts hall and dormitory suites, suits and diverse objects.

Patio: the plaques donated by town celebrities and by the government of the City of Buenos Aires are located in it, along with the only tree still standing, the historical fig tree of 1890.

Address: 482 President J. D. Peron Avenue (Former Buenos Aires Avenue).
Working hours: Wednesday through Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00 hours.

Historic and Natural Sciences Museum
This museum is the result of the resolution of a group of local neighbours whose intention was to keep alive the true values of their town: the history based on documents, on tools, liturgical and educational elements, in customs, traditions, feasts and others.

It was founded on July the 16th of 1983 in the building of the Obras Sanitarias (Water Utility), and the inauguration of its exhibition rooms was fulfilled on May the 25th of 1987. The museum houses important collections that are not only property of the institution but also a world patrimony.

It has different sections: photographic archive, historic archive, natural sciences, numismatic, medallions, everyday objects, religious artworks, collection of magazines and publications, and a criollo circus in the Dina Franco Room.

Address: Arevalo Avenue unnumbered, between Levene Street and H. Irigoyen Avenue. Working hours: Sundays and holidays from 17:00 to 19:00 hours.

URBAN ACTIVITIES

Regional products - Handicrafts
In Lobos travellers will find an ample shade of regional products and craftsmanship, such as exquisite homemade sweets, cheeses and sausages; another variety of products that tourists can acquire are leatherworks made of vizcacha, fox, otter, rabbit, goat, deer, vipers, zorillas and pampas cat furs. You should not miss the Quechua, Comechingona, Toba and Wichis ceramics, replicas of Phoenician pottery, as well as woodworks, silverworks, rope and stones works.

Traditionalist Centres
The folkloric traditions of Argentina's countryside are rescued in here, from the garments, gears, horseman skills, games such as the duck, horserace, ring race, lariat and taming, up to the typical dishes. Every year they take part on The March of the Estancias, the Town's Anniversary Parade, the Tradition Week, and different feasts related to gaucho tradition. These non profitable institutions keep the everyday habits of the country people alive, and they are a source of pride for the community.

NATURAL ACTIVITIES

Fishing
It is practiced from December up to the first days of September, and the following 90 days are close season. In this period you are only allowed to fish on weekends and holidays, though with a maximum extraction quota of 15 specimens. It is mainly practice from a boat and you can catch pike characins, wolf fishes, carps, bogas, Mayan cichlids, catfishes and atherine. The Lobos Fishing Club offers all that is needed to guarantee fishers a pleasant stay, including a well equipped camping area, an excellent pier, a docking ramp and boats.

Parachuting
Lobos is the national capital of parachuting, and here you will have the chance of not only watching parachute jumps from altitudes of up to 3000 and 4000 metres, which take place every weekend, but also of taking part on one of them. Besides, you can take courses whose certifications will accredit you to jump in any place in the country and to obtain an international parachuting licence (FAI licence).

Golf
This activity is developed during the entire year on a magnificent 18-hole court suitable for international tournaments. It provides instructors, dressing rooms, showers, sweetshop, restaurants, caddies, cart rental, drivers and pro-shop.

Other sports
Polo and soccer are two sports much rooted in this city, and Lobos is seat of the Lobo Athletic Club, founded in 1892, which has supplied Argentine soccer with great players. Regarding polo, there are three clubs that are seat of several important regional championships.

RURAL TOURISM

The City of Lobos has estancias that allow travellers to spend one or several days in these magnificent establishments. There you can go on hikes, horseback rides, cabriolet rides, enjoy a bonfire or take part on activities typical of the country.

Estancia La Candelaria
It is one of the most renowned estancias in Argentina, and the main house is a magnificent castle of French style built towards the year 1900, according to Argentina's belle époque dictates, and designed by famous architect Alberto Fabre. The rest of the dependencies, of colonial style, are located in the park, which has more than 240 tree species and was designed by landscaper Carlos Thays.

Estancia Santa Rita
It is an old estancia from the year 1810 raised by Antonio Carboni; it occupies a total surface of 200 hectares. The main house was built in 1916 and it has been recently refurbished.

It has a chapel dating back to 1790 as well, and the main house welcomes guests in its six elegant suites since 1996.

It has a centenarian forest more than 40 hectares wide, an ample park and a lagoon with a bower. It is ideal for trekking and photo safari; it has a swimming pool, jai alai court, horses to go on rides, carriages and mountain bikes.

Estancia La Concepción
It has more than 200 hectares in a magnificent park, designed by landscaper Carlos Thays, full of lakes, a cascade, an isle, statues and fountains. Adjacent to the main house is a neo-gothic chapel, and the proper house has halls with other times' refinement and today's comfort. It has 20 rooms plus, dining room for 30 people serving local and international food, hall for 50 people, living rooms, playroom, billiard room and others for social and business events.

You can go on horseback rides, rides on cabriolets, swim in the pool, play on the tennis court, play soccer, or simply watch rural activities. Besides, you can visit the exhibition of old carriages at the main house. The swimming pool, which is strategically situated, is of salt water; it has a great forest to go on strolls too.

Estancia San Carlos
It is an economic 55-hectare tourist estancia dedicated to livestock and agriculture; it has a dense 15-hectare park and oak, casuarinas and eucalyptus avenues, a cluster of tala trees, and acacias accompanied by palm trees and wild violets.

It is an ideal paradise for those wishing to run away from noise and routine, and travellers can either spend a day in the country or lodge in one of the three independent houses with a total of 30 beds. One of the offers consists on renting the cabins fully equipped to families or groups for a reasonable cost.

The food you are served is homemade and has the organic market garden as one of its sources. You can enjoy the following activities: swimming, tennis, soccer, horseback rides, bowls, knucklebones and ping pong.

Besides, you can join the party milking the cows early, to then have a breakfast accompanied with homemade cakes and bread.

There is a great variety of animals dwelling at an extensive artificial lagoon, ideal for going on a photo safari and catching on camera flamingos, cinnamon teals, sirirí and muscovy ducks, Australian and Canadian swans and herons, besides antelopes, llamas, peacocks, pheasants, pampas rheas and a couple of buffalos.

Estancia Coag
Estancia Coag spreads across a 600-hectare surface with a permanent stockbreeding and agricultural production, and has a ranch house built in the year 1942. It is an ample construction with harmonic roofs, two galleries, 12 comfortable rooms and a large living room.The area destined for tourism is of 250 hectares, and there guests can enjoy the large 12-hectare park with leafy trees and deep boulevards, two artificial lakes, a swimming pool, rides on carriages, guided tours and horseback rides.

The rooms have satellite TV and video set; it has an ample hut restaurant capable of housing up to 300 people, which is ideal for events, congresses, conventions and all sorts of social happenings.

La Campana Establishment
It has 300 hectares of land on the sheer wet pampas, with much green provided by leafy oak trees and eucalyptuses. Exclusively attended by its owners, who preserve the natural resources and respect the traditional values of the zone, this establishment assures you a pleasant stay in a neat familiar ambience.

You can spend the day in the country with breakfast, lunch and a criollo picnic, while appreciating shows of criollo dexterity. Besides, it has a park with playgrounds for children, corrals and stables with farm animals, horses, visits to the milking area and the Australian reservoir, and rides on trailers for passengers pulled by tractors.

Campo Fatima - La Oveja Negra (The Black Sheep) Educational Farm
It offers eight hectares of park with a huge grove to enjoy a nice day in the countryside. It is ideal for retirees and young people. The following activities can be undertaken: horseback rides, rides on carriages, bowls, knucklebones, and visits to the farm animals.

The educational farm offers schools a program of activities where teachers and students are in direct contact with nature. This program of activities includes milking, apiculture, elaboration of bread and cheese, explanatory talks regarding the flora and fauna, visits to the farm animals and the rabbit breeding area; it also has playgrounds for children, camping areas and bonfires.

La Federala Country Club
It is a 92-hectare compound of fresh air, sports and the proper infrastructure to have visitors and families enjoying their stay in total privacy. There are 310 lots with a surface between 800 and 1700 square metres, and each one has subterranean electric power, natural gas, telephone lines and satellite TV. Besides, all streets are paved; it has a first class restaurant and sweetshop, a playroom and an event room. Here you can go on horseback rides, practice polo, jump, hockey, parachuting, paddling and athletics; and swimming, fishing, and windsurfing at the Lobos Lagoon.