Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
o
Centro
Paleontológico
Lago Barreales
Road map
B3. 40 miles (65 km) N of
Neuquén.
@
to Añelo, then taxi.
n
(0299) 154-182295 .
Open
daily.
8
prior arrangement only.
∑
proyectodino.com.ar
Situated on the northern shore
of Lago Barreales, Centro
Paleontológico Lago Barreales
is the largest paleontological
excavation site in Argentina. It is
also the only one of its kind in
South America open to visitors
all year round. Born out of an
initial excavation in 2001, the
site has a remote location which
makes it difficult to get to, but
those that make the effort are
well rewarded.
The activities at the site
range from a short yet infor-
mative guided tour to a two-
day stay at the center during
which visitors work alongside
helpful site technicians and
paleontologists in the extrac-
tion, preparation, and restora-
tion of dinosaur fossils. The
accommodation offered is
rustic, but personalized service
is emphasized with only four
visitors permitted to stay at
any one time.
Archaeological discoveries at
the site, which so far number
over a staggering 1,000
vertebral fossils and more
than 300 plant fossils, have
been the subject of worldwide
attention since the dig
began in 2001. Previously
undiscovered dinosaurs
include
Futalognkosaurus dukei
,
a colossal 118-ft (36-m) long
herbivore, and
Unenlagia
Contemporary Argentinian paintings at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
i
Neuquén
Road map
B4. 345 miles (557 km) NW
of Viedma.
*
300,000.
k
@
from
Viedma.
n
Félix San Martín 182,
(0299) 442-4089.
(
Sat & Sun.
_
Aniversario de la Ciudad Neuquén
(Sep), Feria Artesanos (Nov).
∑
neuquentur.gob.ar
the length of the park, but now
largely in disuse, is the city's
railroad line. Housed in the
line's old accommodation
building is
Museo Paraje
Confluencia
, with displays
on the history of Neuquén. In
the renovated cargo
warehouse nearby is
the Sala de Arte Emilio
Saraco, with temporary
exhibitions by
Argentinian artists.
Patagonia's commercial hub,
Neuquén is the capital of the
province of the same name.
It was a center for the
region's wool and leather
industry, and its location
at the confluence of Río
Limay and Río Neuquén
made it an important
agricultural center in
the otherwise arid
province. The arrival of
the railroad in the early
1900s further benefited the
town and the discovery of oil
in the region in the 1960s
and the development of a
hydroelectric industry in the
1990s led to rapid growth.
A popular stopover for
those visiting the dinosaur
destinations Villa El Chocón
and Plaza Huincul, Neuquén
is a conurbation of low-rise
buildings that can be divided
into two distinct sectors:
el alto
(uptown) and
el bajo
(downtown). The tree-shaded
Parque Central divides these
two areas and is where most
of Neuquén's cultural sights
are found.
Lying north of the park is
Museo Nacional de Bellas
Artes (MNBA)
, housed in a
minimalist-style building
and inaugurated in 2004. Its
permanent collection features
European art from the
Renaissance to the 19th cen-
tury, along with works from all
over Argentina. Running along
Environs
About 31 miles (50 km)
north of the town, in
San Patricio del
Chañar
, are several
vineyards that have
raised the profile of
Patagonian wine-
making. Bodega del Fin del
Mundo runs guided tours daily.
Sculpture by Alfredo
Bigatti, MNBA
E
Museo Nacional de Bellas
Artes (MNBA)
Mitre & Santa Cruz, Parque Central.
Te l
(0299) 443-6268.
Open
10am-9pm Tue-Fri, 10am-2pm,
6-10pm Sat, 6-10pm Sun & hols.
8
6pm Tue−Sun (Spanish only).
0
7
E
Museo Paraje Confluencia
Independencia & Córdoba.
Te l
(0299)
442-5430.
Open
9am-6pm Mon-Fri,
6-10pm Sat, Sun, & hols.
Replica dinosaur skeletons on display at Museo Municipal Cármen Funes
For hotels and restaurants see pp278-83 and pp288-99
