Museo Histórico y Natural Monseñor Fagnano
About This Museum
Tucked away on the windswept plains of northern Tierra del Fuego, this museum occupies the very building where the first telephone call in the region was connected. It feels less like a formal institution and more like stepping into a time capsule, packed to the rafters with eclectic treasures. You'll find everything from massive, skeletal whale bones to delicate Selk'nam arrowheads, all collected by the pioneering Salesian missionaries who settled this harsh land. The sheer variety of objects tells a deeply human story of survival, faith, and curiosity at the end of the world.
Collection Highlights
The natural history wing astounds with a complete orca skeleton and fossils of long-extinct local megafauna. The historical side preserves the original missionary quarters, complete with vintage scientific instruments and poignant photographs of the Selk'nam people.
Visitor Information
It's right on National Route 3, so it's an easy and essential stop on any road trip through Argentine Patagonia. Just look for the unassuming but charming red-roofed buildings at kilometer 2835.
Architecture & Building
The museum is housed in a cluster of simple, rustic buildings made from local materials, characteristic of the early 20th-century Salesian mission stations that dotted the region.
Contact & Location
Address: Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Phone: +54 2964 57-3166
