PINCHEIRA’S CASTLES
Castillos de Pincheira Reserve
Water and wind have over the millennia of time built these
extraordinary geological formations which look like castles,
originating in explosive volcanic eruptions at the end of
the Tertiary Era. The environment is that of dry climate and
the rocky formation called “castles” is made up of a
sedimentary-volcanic nature on the slopes of the 2,163
meters Cerro Algodón on the right hand shore or South shore
of the Malargue River.
History has it that bandit and strongman Jose Antonio
Pincheira who had carried out the slaying of white people
known as “Tragedia del Chancay” (11 June 1830) used these
formations as shelter for his troops. This would be the
origin of the name.
Castillos de Pincheira is located on the oriental slopes of
the main Cordillera or border Cordillera in the district of
Malargue, 28 kilometers from the head city of the district
and covers a total of 650 hectares.
It has a great landscape importance and also the
conservation of the middle basin of the Malargue River
providing Malargue city with drinking water. One can take a
trekking excursion and reach the top of the Castles or
explore the area on horse back, amongst other tourist
options.
Landscape and Geology
It is made up of a sedimentary-volcanic nature originating in
explosive volcanic eruptions of the neighboring volcanoes
possibly at the end of the Tertiary Era. The clear
stratification and the eroding action of water and wind have
generated a great tourist attraction landscape-wise for its
strange beauty.
Modifying agents work on the sedimentary rocks, especially
sandy ones. At the foot of the formations one can observe a
great variety of alluvial cones which are the product of the
descent of material.
This natural monument is situated in an arid climate with very
little rainfall, usually great summer storms. Another
characteristic of the climate is the infamous hot Viento Zonda
wind.
Water and wind construct weird forms making it look like a real
great castle with its towers. It is approximately 60 meters
high. Another feature of the area is the presence of “bardas”,
low rocky formations cut in an abrupt manner.
There is plenty of archeological evidence to be found in this
zone. The natural formations of difficult access were used by
the Pehuenche indigenous people who adapted them for defensive
purposes.
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