Religious Tourism

Patagonia is home to numerous and compelling religious expressions. Important historical and religious events have taken place within its territory, attracting visits from believers and tourists alike. This is another reason to come and experience faith in breathtaking settings that make the experience even more intense.

One of the most significant events is that the first Mass on Argentine soil was held in Patagonia. More specifically, it occurred in Puerto San Julián, Province of Santa Cruz, when Magellan ordered a Mass to be celebrated on Palm Sunday in 1520, the first religious service celebrated in the entire country. To commemorate this event, the town organizes various activities every year.

In Neuquén, the Via Christi Park stands out in Junín de los Andes, the oldest town in the province. The sculpture captures the most significant moments of Jesus’ life, passion, death, and resurrection, articulating the iconography and actions of the Latin American Church and indigenous cultures. The interesting aspect of this work, as in the sanctuary, is the intertwined manifestation of Christianity and Mapuche culture, as the sculptures have faces that adopt the features of the area’s indigenous peoples. The culmination of this entire tour is the recently inaugurated «Jesús Luz» station, directed by architect Alejandro Santana. It expresses the figure of Jesus passing through the Earth, symbolizing that the Divine presence is found in all of Nature, in its creation and in every moment. This sculpture is approximately 36 meters long, 30 meters wide, and 7 meters high, resting on the hillside.

A very special Via Christi takes place every year in Puerto Madryn. Living up to its nickname as the “National Diving Capital,” this Chubut city holds an underwater Via Crucis each year. Similar to the traditional Via Christi, the final stations are held underwater, illuminating the path so that it can also be followed from the surface.

Meanwhile, in Río Negro, you can visit the birthplace of Ceferino Namuncurá, son of the indigenous chief Manuel Namuncurá. Chimpay, 80 km from Choele Choel, is the scene of a large annual pilgrimage to venerate and give thanks to this blessed man, who is credited with performing various miracles and was declared a saint by the Vatican in 2007.

La Pampa also has its religious landmark in the historic church of Colonia San José, which was officially proclaimed a diocesan sanctuary and a Provincial Historical Monument. This ancient building was constructed between October 31st, 1926, and May 8th, 1927.

Located at Colonia San José, it stands out architecturally for its German neoclassical style, its 23-meter tower, and its Carrara marble altar. Its heritage value lies in its status as the most important center of attraction and cultural influence in northern La Pampa, and for being the expression of both the faith and culture of one of the communities that settled in La Pampa at the beginning of the 20th century. Every first day of the month, San José Church welcomes hundreds of parishioners to celebrate a day of Faith.

Furthermore, throughout Patagonia, there is a large turnout and participation in patron or saint festivals, where venerated images of saints are carried in processions and occupy a prominent place in worship.