Unquillo between nature, art and traditions

Unquillo brings together an extensive municipal nature reserve, hiking trails, museums and local cultural venues. Those who want to make nature and art the focus of their trip will find a range of ideas here: from a hike in the western part of the municipality to houses with remarkable histories and exhibitions.

Nature reserve and trails

The Reserva Hídrica Recreativa Natural Municipal Los Quebrachitos is a municipal nature reserve in the western part of the municipality of Unquillo. Covering 5,000 hectares, it also includes the headwaters of the Cabana and Las Ensenadas streams. Its size and the inclusion of these headwaters give this natural area particular importance for anyone looking to spend time outdoors.

The Sendero Los Chorritos del Cabana, a hiking trail, is located in the publicly accessible area of the reserve. The Casa Museo y Capilla Buffo is also there. Advance booking is mandatory to enter this museum.

Another way to explore Unquillo on foot is the self-guided blue circular route. It runs from the bus station to the Gruta de Lourdes and returns via the Arroyo Cabana. The route offers a practical guide for anyone who wants to focus on a self-guided tour rather than a museum visit.

Art, architecture and local history

The Casa Museo Spilimbergo brings art together with the history of a former building: it was established in 1970 in the former post station “El Descanso del Pasajero.” The painter Lino Spilimbergo had acquired it as his home during the last twelve years of his life. The house’s collection includes an original mural, etchings, drawings, photographs and the master’s work tools. This offers a way to discover art through different types of works and personal objects used in the creative process.

The Casa Museo y Capilla Buffo also offers a distinctive architectural feature. The chapel dates from 1942 and is designed in the Art Nouveau style; its design is inspired by the flowering of the cardoon. Advance booking is required to enter.

Social and cultural activities take place at the Casa de la Cultura, also known as the “Casona Antoniazzi.” The building was constructed in 1908 as a home for the Antoniazzi family and features architectural elements of the Tudor style from England. Unquillo’s century-old architectural heritage also includes hundreds of houses, villas and summer palaces. Those interested in architectural history can make these varied examples a focus of their stay.

The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Unquillo (MACU) opened in 2017 with three exhibition halls, a shop, a cafeteria and facilities that meet international standards. Admission is free and open to everyone. The Casa Museo y Centro Cultural Rivolta, meanwhile, was the home and studio of Eugenio, David and Marta Rivolta; since 2011, it has served as a cultural centre promoting local artists. The Cine Teatro Municipal screens new national and international films in an INCAA 3D auditorium.

Crafts and local traditions

The Camino de Artesanos leads to workshops and production sites where local artisans, entrepreneurs and artists showcase their creations. At a craft workshop specialising in gourd work, the production process is explained, from preparing the gourds to the finished product. This draws attention not only to the result, but also to each step of the process. Those who would rather plan a cultural event can attend the Milonga a Cielo Abierto, a social dance evening held on Fridays from 19:00 to 23:30 in the Patio Español, or, in case of rain, in the Salón Dorado of the municipal building. The Doble Avenida has hosted Unquillo’s carnivals since 1937.

Getting there and choosing your stay

Unquillo can be reached by Intercórdoba buses or by car via the E53. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: nature and hiking, museums and architecture, crafts or cultural events. These different themes offer practical guidance without requiring you to limit yourself to just one way of exploring.

More destinations: Jesús María, Salsipuedes, Villa Allende, San Antonio, Mendiolaza, Agua De Oro, Río Ceballos and La Granja.

For the overview of the wider region: Departamento Colón.