The settlement population reached an estimated 5,000 residents at its peak during the 17th century.
Quilmes is the only site in the region that features a significant amount of reconstructed residential structures.
The people were forcibly relocated over 1,200 kilometers to the city of Quilmes, near Buenos Aires, leading to the collapse of the indigenous community.
The location is strategically situated on a hill to provide a 360-degree view of the valley for defense against invaders.
Archaeologists have identified distinct sectors for domestic living, grain storage, and ceremonial practices.
The site was excavated and partially restored by Argentine archaeologists during the 20th century.
The Ciudad Sagrada de Quilmes is the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina, covering approximately 30 hectares in the Calchaquí Valleys. Originally built by the Quilmes people around 800 AD, the site served as a defensive mountain fortress. It features extensive stone foundations of residential sectors and communal areas reconstructed on the slopes of the Alto del Rey. The site includes a dedicated interpretive center that details the historical forced displacement of the Quilmes population to Buenos Aires in 1667. Visitors can explore the stone corridors and terraces that highlight the advanced agricultural engineering of the Diaguita-Calchaquí culture. The site occupies a significant position in indigenous history, serving as a bastion of resistance against the Spanish conquest. Its architecture utilizes dry-stone masonry techniques adapted to the rugged topography. The site maintains a stark desert environment typical of the high-altitude Andean foothills.
The viewpoint at the highest accessible point of the ruins looking down over the valley and the restored stone foundations.
Carry at least two liters of water, as the high-altitude desert climate causes rapid dehydration.
Use strong sun protection including a wide-brimmed hat and high-SPF sunscreen, as there is almost no shade on the trails.
Trek during the first hours after opening to avoid the intense midday heat and peak tour bus crowds.
Do not attempt to hike the upper ruins during the peak heat of the afternoon without adequate supplies.
Do not climb on the loose stone walls or remove any rocks or pottery shards from the site.
