Las Padercitas: Fortress Remains and Pilgrimage

Las Padercitas combines a place of special historical significance with a long-standing pilgrimage tradition. The remains of the Fuerte de Las Padercitas tell the story of a fortress dating back to 1631; a procession to Las Padercitas also takes place every year. Visitors planning a stay can choose between historical interest, the recurring August event, and a visit to the El Calvario path.

The Tapiales del Fuerte de Las Padercitas

The Tapiales del Fuerte de Las Padercitas are the remains of a fortress built in 1631 during the Calchaquí Wars. This connects the site to a specific historical period. The complex was declared a National Historic Site in 1942. These two dates provide different points of reference: 1631 marks the fortress’s construction, while 1942 marks its designation as a historic site.

The site’s described layout also makes the visit tangible. It includes an enclosed area measuring 9 x 9 meters. There are also two smaller rooms, which are connected to each other and each have two open corners. Visitors interested in historic buildings can focus on these specific features: the enclosed area, the connection between the rooms, and their open corners. This keeps the focus on the features actually described in the fortress remains.

The designation as a National Historic Site and the architectural description complement each other without saying the same thing: one classifies the site as a historic place, while the other conveys its surviving spatial layout. For a visit with children, this clear distinction offers a concrete topic for discussion: What belongs to the larger area, and how do the smaller rooms differ? The year 1631 and the 1942 designation provide two further, clearly distinct points in time.

The August Pilgrimage

Another side of Las Padercitas can be seen in the traditional pilgrimage of San Francisco Solano, which has taken place since 1919. Every year, on the second Sunday in August, the faithful process to Las Padercitas. This recurring date makes August a suitable time for travelers who would like to experience this religious tradition. For planning purposes, the specific day on the calendar matters: the procession takes place on the month’s second Sunday, not on the same fixed date each year.

The procession is made on foot from the city center. This walk is part of the pilgrimage as described; no route length or walking time is specified. Families interested in religious traditions can therefore make the event a focus of their stay and consider the fortress remains as another aspect of the trip. The procession and the history of the fortress are different reasons to explore Las Padercitas: one is a tradition that has taken place since 1919, the other the remains of a fortress built in 1631.

El Calvario and Choosing Where to Stay

El Calvario offers another starting point for planning your trip: the path begins at the Las Padercitas roundabout. This starting point is especially interesting for visitors who want to explore a path and its route. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider whether your trip will focus mainly on the historic fortress remains, the date of the pilgrimage, or the El Calvario path.

If you would like to continue your search beyond Las Padercitas, discover La Rioja too.

For the broader travel overview: Departamento Capital.