The order of St Francis was on the scene very early and began building here in the late 16th century. Bad luck with construction and then an earthquake means the current church is only an early-20th-century neo-Gothic affair. It houses the image of the Niño Jesús Alcalde, a Christ-child icon symbolically recognized as the city’s mayor, dressed in robes of office.
Convento de San Francisco
Catamarca & La Rioja
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.19 MILES
This worthwhile museum is set in a wonderful early 17th-century adobe building, and has fine regional cultural displays. Themes include chaya (local La…
0.18 MILES
The enormous, sober-toned, 1899 neo-Byzantine (and a few other 'neos') cathedral contains the image of patron saint Nicolás de Bari. He's an object of…
0.2 MILES
Built in 1623 by the Diaguita under the direction of Dominican friars, this is Argentina’s oldest monastery. The date appears in the carved algarrobo door…
Museo de la Ciudad/Museo de Bellas Artes
0.33 MILES
The city of La Rioja makes a big effort rehabilitating old buildings for cultural ends. This complex houses the art gallery, which rotates temporary…
Nearby Catamarca & La Rioja attractions
0.18 MILES
The enormous, sober-toned, 1899 neo-Byzantine (and a few other 'neos') cathedral contains the image of patron saint Nicolás de Bari. He's an object of…
0.19 MILES
This worthwhile museum is set in a wonderful early 17th-century adobe building, and has fine regional cultural displays. Themes include chaya (local La…
0.2 MILES
Built in 1623 by the Diaguita under the direction of Dominican friars, this is Argentina’s oldest monastery. The date appears in the carved algarrobo door…
4. Museo de la Ciudad/Museo de Bellas Artes
0.33 MILES
The city of La Rioja makes a big effort rehabilitating old buildings for cultural ends. This complex houses the art gallery, which rotates temporary…