Mendoza’s renovated Museo Fundacional protects excavations of the colonial cabildo (town council), destroyed by an earthquake in 1861. At that time, the city’s geographical focus shifted west and south to its present location. A series of small dioramas depicts Mendoza’s history, working through all of human evolution as if the city of Mendoza were the climax (maybe it was). The Ruinas de San Francisco, across the Plaza Pedro del Castillo, are the sole remaining remnants of the city prequake.
Museo Fundacional
Mendoza
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
2.13 MILES
Walking along the lakeshore and snoozing in the shade of the rose garden in this beautiful 420-hectare park is a great way to enjoy one of the city’s…
26.64 MILES
Popular with day-tripping mendocinos, this nature reserve occupying a spectacular mountain setting only an hour north of Mendoza is also the origin of…
1.48 MILES
A good place to orient yourself is the Terraza Mirador, which is the rooftop terrace at City Hall, offering panoramic views of the city and the…
Iglesia, Convento y Basílica de San Francisco
0.92 MILES
Many mendocinos (people from Mendoza) consider the image at this church of the Virgin of Cuyo, patron of San Martín’s Ejército de los Andes, miraculous…
Museo Histórico General San Martín
0.55 MILES
Honors José de San Martín, the general who liberated Argentina from the Spanish and whose name graces parks, squares and streets everywhere; the…
Nearby Mendoza attractions
1. Museo Histórico General San Martín
0.55 MILES
Honors José de San Martín, the general who liberated Argentina from the Spanish and whose name graces parks, squares and streets everywhere; the…
2. Iglesia, Convento y Basílica de San Francisco
0.92 MILES
Many mendocinos (people from Mendoza) consider the image at this church of the Virgin of Cuyo, patron of San Martín’s Ejército de los Andes, miraculous…
1.48 MILES
A good place to orient yourself is the Terraza Mirador, which is the rooftop terrace at City Hall, offering panoramic views of the city and the…
2.13 MILES
Walking along the lakeshore and snoozing in the shade of the rose garden in this beautiful 420-hectare park is a great way to enjoy one of the city’s…
5. Reserva Natural Villavicencio
26.64 MILES
Popular with day-tripping mendocinos, this nature reserve occupying a spectacular mountain setting only an hour north of Mendoza is also the origin of…