Pueblo Encantado

A few blocks from the central square of Capilla del Monte, across a 14-hectare estate, lies Pueblo Encantado: a theme park built around a Mudéjar-style castle erected in the late 19th century.

History of the castle

The origins of the complex trace back to Odilo Estévez Yánez, a Spanish immigrant from Ourense who settled in Rosario and founded the Yerbatera Paraguaya, a company that made him one of the wealthiest men in the country. With that fortune he acquired the land in Capilla del Monte and built his summer residence, which he named Villa Firma: an evocation of Andalusia rendered in Mudéjar architecture. Construction was completed in 1927; the building has 11 rooms, a games room, service quarters, and an Andalusian courtyard. The ironwork, hand-painted tiles, and window and door frames were brought from Spain.

In the years that followed, the park was enriched with reproductions of Goya paintings on the fountains and Sevillian tiles depicting the story of Don Quixote. Estévez Yánez managed the property until his death in 1945.

From private villa to public park

In 1979 the poet Sebastián Alejandro Lusianzoff purchased the property, which had fallen into disrepair, and opened it to the public under the name Pueblo Encanto. Lusianzoff added stone sculptures, introduced a notable stand of Oregon pine, and built a 40-metre-tall guitar for the inaugural edition of the Festival Argentino-Español de Folklore. The park went through periods of closure between 1989 and 2002, when it resumed operations, this time with cabins for tourism. Following Lusianzoff’s death in 2004, management passed to his son Marcelo Lusianzoff.

Exploring the grounds

The picturesque architecture of the complex invites visitors to stroll and photograph corners with Andalusian influence: the castle’s inner courtyard, the decorated fountains, and the handcrafted tiles. The park is a short distance from Cerro Uritorco, making it easy to combine a visit with other activities in the sierra surroundings of Capilla del Monte.

For up-to-date information on hours, admission, and activities, it is recommended to consult the official site or contact the venue directly.