Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi (21 K)

Bariloche
The land around Bariloche was till the end of the XVII century. territory of the Araucanian Indians that came from the south of Chile, cornered by the Spaniards. The rumour of the existance of a city of gold and stone started at that time. During the following years the area was forgotten. Until 1869 when the expedition from Chile undertaken by Cox and the Argentine expedition in charge of the Perito Francisco Moreno the zone became prominent again.
In 1895 Carlos Wiederhold installed the first warehouse in what today is San Carlos de Bariloche, but May 3, 1902 is the official date of the foundation. It was called Carlos in honour of Wiederhold and Bariloche is a corruption of the Indian word Buriloche. Thanks to the visit of T.Roosevelt in 1913 the first route was built. In 1921 first aeroplane arrived in Bariloche and one decade later, the first train. In 1936 thanks to the inspiration of Ezequiel Alejandro Bustillo, with the collaboration of Architect Estrada, the Cathedral, the Civic Centre, the Hotel Llao Llao and the chapel San Eduardo were built.

Centro Cívico (Main Square)
It is the most representative place in Bariloche formed by a group of buildings in medieval style that surround the picturesque square. The Municipality, the Secretary of Tourism, the local Police, the Museum of Patagonia and the Library Sarmiento are found here.

Mitre Street
It is the main commercial street, with many and well-assorted shops, restaurants and Hotels.

Cathedral
From Mitre Street following Beschtedt Street you arrive at the Cathedral. It is a building in neo-gothic style surrounded by a park, more than 45 stained windows can be admired in this church.

Patagonia Museum
Located in the Centro Cívico it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. It has several rooms of natural sciences, ethnography, prehistory, regional and local history. It has a good library with all sorts of publications.

Museo Paleontológico (Paleontologic Museum)
It is located in the Costanera, the avenue on the coast of the Lake Nahuel Huapi. It opens from Monday to Saturday from 4 PM to 7 PM. There are interesting samples of fossilised trees that cover the Carboniferous and Jurassic periods.

Avenida Costanera 12 de Octubre
It is ideal to walk along this avenue in the late afternoon, where the pines shield off the wind that blows from the lake.

Club Andino Bariloche
From the avenue Belgrano going up Morales Street, one finds the Club Andino Bariloche, the first wintersport club in Argentina.