The Town of Luján has its origin on the first foundation of Buenos Aires, in 1536, and the name derives from Captain Pedro de Luján, a member of the expedition sent by Pedro de Mendoza to explore the zone, who was killed by the local natives on the banks of the river now bearing his name.

Although it was not until 1671, when the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary was built, that the town was founded and it began to grow. Since then, it became a forced passing point on the routes to the north and the west. Besides, it was a pass over the Luján River, and hence the seat of a control post whose purpose was to check the coming and going of goods in order to avoid smuggling.

It is said that the image of the Virgin, which came from Paracaiba, in Brazil, and was sent to Sumampa, in Santiago del Estero by a Portuguese, was made by a Brazilian potter with fired clay from Brazil. The original statue is covered and preserved by a silver bell that gave it its characteristic shape, by which it is nowadays known all over the world.

Luján is the owner of a great cultural and historical richness, which is demonstrated in the most notable buildings of colonial origin and in its cultural establishments, amongst which the traditional National University of Luján stands out. The historic centre of the city marks a very rich stage on colonial history for it houses authentic testimonies of Argentina's history.

Located 67 kilometres west of Buenos Aires, it offers numerous alternatives to go on one-day tours or mini tours. It is one of the most important weekend tourist destinations and a famous pilgrimage centre, besides being dyed with a historic past full of events.

The proximity of the Luján River and its municipal resort, make of this city an unmatchable place to rest and go on walks. Visitors can find recreational areas on the riverbanks, historic places, estancias nearby the city, amusement parks, and of course, the Basilica of the Virgin of Luján, the main attraction in this interesting city.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Basilica of the Virgin of Lujan
It is impossible to visit Lujan and not enter this imposing temple, whose cornerstone was laid in the year 1887 while the works were finished in 1935. Its two high church towers stand out with their needles rising up to 106.5 metres, and their niches sheltering statues of the evangelists and the apostles.

Its seven naves for the circulation of the devotees, the height of its columns and its wonderful stained glass windows, stand out on the inside, which shows a French gothic style; though the most attended place is undoubtedly the chapel of the Virgin, whose upper part is also part of the main altar.

The internal layout of the basilica, of notable grandiosity, represents the image of Crucified Jesus: the main altar, being His head, the altars of the transept, His extended arms; and the main nave pricked by the lateral arches, His body sending purified blood to the confessionary cubicles situated on the sides.

It was declared National Historic Monument in 1998. It is located on 1 San Martin Avenue, in front of Belgrano Plaza.

Zoo of Lujan
This place, located at the kilometre 58 of the West Access (Gaona), between General Rodriguez and Lujan, used to be part of an estancia; hence it has aged and diverse woodland. Species such as lions, deer, pumas, elephants, monkeys and sea wolfs can be appreciated in this estate. This zoo keeps most of the animals in a state of semi-liberty and they can be caressed by the children, since they are duly looked after by specialised handlers. It has 15 hectares that include a camping park, a grill sector, soccer fields, swimming pool, restaurants with typical dishes, and a bakery where children can learn how to knead bread. It is open from 8:00 to 21:00 hours. Information: (02323) 43-5738.

Enrique Udaondo Museum
Located in the block surrounded by Lavalle, 25 de Mayo, Lezica y Torrezurri Streets, and Nuestra Señora de Lujan Avenue, it is the most important museum compound in the country and one of the largest in America. Its huge patrimonial richness is renowned even beyond the Argentine borders.

The facility came to be after the joining of two of the oldest buildings in the Province of Buenos Aires, which are kept as they were originally: the Town Hall and the House of the Viceroy, declared National Historic Monuments in the year 1942. The place is divided in five areas that have a total of eight exhibition rooms open to the public, a chapel and the Peña Library, inaugurated in 1979.

You can visit the following installations:

Town Hall: it is a building of thick adobe walls, an attic and a two-sloped roof with Spanish tiles, created by order of Fernando VI, King of Spain; it was seat of the Town Hall of Luján, and held the prisoners of the English invasions of 1806, General Jose Maria Paz in 1835 and Generals Machado and Bartolomé Mitre.

Gaucho Room: customs and traditions go hand in hand along this tour through time, where the main character is the gaucho. It houses original garments, local silverworks, elements regarding the history of the mate and the gaucho singers, and the local retail shops.

Federal Room: it depicts the history of Juan Manuel de Rosas, the law restorer, his family and the most outstanding events during his administration. It shows paintings, suites and his personal belongings.

Hispanic American Art Room: it exhibits silverworks, secular and religious jewellery, working techniques, worshipping imagery, costumes, paintings from the schools of Cusco and Quito; in short, the fusion of the Spanish and the aboriginal through art.

War of Paraguay Room: it is dedicated to the War of the Triple Alliance, and exhibits objects from that period: uniforms, military trophies, and the canvases painted by Candido Lopez, "the war painter".

Fashion Room: it exhibits male and female accessories from the year 1860, suites of that period, a bride's dress, and the dormitory suite of Nicolas Avellaneda, amongst other objects.

Chapel: it exhibits objects of religious character, such as altarpieces, wooden carvings and reliquaries; along with others regarding the effort of the Jesuits at the reductions (reservations).

Museum of Transportation
This institute, which is an extension of the Enrique Udaondo Compound, has on display a great number of cabriolets and old cars, some used by Generals Belgrano, San Martin and Domingo F. Sarmiento, amongst other celebrities. It was inaugurated in the year 1940.

The first locomotives used in Argentina were built in Leeds, England, by the Manning Wardle Co, and baptised with the names of La Porteña and La Argentina, which towed two small wooden carriages.

On March the 23rd of 1864 La Porteña set off on her maiden trip from Park Station (current Lavalle Plaza) up to the lands of the Virgin of Luján. The Italian machinist who ran the engine La Porteña, which inaugurated the train service in Argentina, Don Alfonso Corazzi, settled in Luján.

It is located on Nuestra Señora de Lujan and Lavalle Avenues.

Fernan Felix de Amador Fine Arts Museum
It is currently located in a sector known as La Recova, where the Enrique Udaondo Museum Compound and the Basilica of Luján come together. Here you can appreciate the unparalleled "Carvings of Martin Fierro", composed of 41 scenes integrated by 322 groups carved by artist Jorge Casals and based on the drafts of draughtsman Luis Macaya. Artworks made by Argentine contemporary artists such as Pettoruti, Bonome, Castagnino, Soldi, Schurjin and others, are part of the museum's patrimony as well. Two contests take place yearly in which artists from all over the country participate. Working hours: Tuesdays through Sundays from 13:00 to 18:00 hours.

Virgin of Lujan Devotional Museum
This museum located on Padre Salvaire Street, a few steps away from San Martin, on the ground floor of the Descanso de los Peregrinos, summons thousands of visitors. More than 5000 objects, which are testimony of the gratitude of followers towards the Virgin, are exhibited in here; and in spite of the fact that it is not a historic museum, you can find objects of great artistic and mostly emotive value in it.

Ameghino Park
It was designed by Frenchman Carlos Thays, and embraces three blocks that are an ideal place for resting and recreating. You can enjoy its aged groves and mounds that lure to the playgrounds and gathering areas.

Colon Plaza
It is notable for its shrubs, plants and trees, which are trimmed in diverse and curious shapes, thus constituting a visual spectacle worthy of admiration. It is surrounded by Bartolomé Mitre, Colon, M. Moreno and San Martin Avenues.

ACTIVITIES

Pilgrimages
Two pilgrimages of high religious value take place yearly; one is that of the young, which takes place during the first week of October, and on which they come to the basilica by foot from different localities; and the other is the gaucho pilgrimage on horseback, which takes place during the second half of September since 1940. A wonderful mural synthesises the pilgrimages to the town on Almirante Brown Avenue, in front of the Bus Terminal.

Tours along the banks of the Lujan River
The Lujan River poses an especial attraction for those loving open air, and there are several recreational areas with tables and grills by the watercourse, in an extremely rich forest. The Municipal Resort, located on the right riverbank, is particularly attractive for them. Besides recreational areas and restaurants, you can realise different activities, such as crossing the river on a hanging chair at a 17-metre height.

There is an amusement park with last generation attractions on the edge of the river, with a steamboat similar to those used on the Mississippi River, in the United States, during the late XIX century. You can also rent boats, motorboats, karts and mountain bikes if you wish to combine resting with some other entertainment or sport.

Besides, there are restaurants, bars, a fair of handicrafts, and beautiful groves under which ample promenades run, where families can gather to enjoy a rest in the sheer core of the tourist zone.