The Parque Temático de la Cruz is a tourism venture located near the city of Santa Ana, in the province of Misiones. Spanning across 57.5 hectares on the Santa Ana hill, at 360 meters above sea level, the park offers native jungle, waterfalls, a variety of local bird species, and natural viewpoints. Its main attraction is a 52-meter metallic cross, combined with the 30-meter building supporting it, providing panoramic views of the Paraná River and the towns of Leandro N. Alem, Oberá, Santa Ana, Posadas, and Candelaria.
Practical information
Opening Hours in 2024
In 2024 Parque Temático de la Cruz has the following opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (with extended hours until 6:00 pm)
- Saturdays: 9:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Services
- Parking
- Restaurant
- Accessible restrooms, ramps, and trails
- Credit and debit card payments accepted
- Provision store
- Souvenirs and handicrafts
- Hot water
Rates
| Children under 6 years old and persons with disabilities (ID required) | Free of charge |
| Rates for ascending the Cruz | $400 |
| General admission (foreigners) | $4400 |
| Argentine residents | $3300 |
| National retirees | $1600 |
| Residents of Misiones province | $1600 |
| Residents of Santa Ana and Cerro Corá | Free of charge |
| Children aged 6 to 12 years | $1400 |
Source: misiones.tur.ar
Parque de la Cruz
Located in Santa Ana, Misiones, the Parque Temático de la Cruz is a one-hour drive from the capital of Misiones and 14 km from the urban center of Santa Ana, accessible via RN 12 through RP 103.
Situated atop Cerro Santa Ana, this park features a unique monument in the province: an 82-meter-high cross. Visitors can reach its arms via an elevator and admire the elevated landscape. Additionally, the premises house other points of interest such as the Teatro de la Selva, the chapel, two pedestrian trails (interpretive and religious), a butterfly garden with a biopark, an orchidarium, and a nursery. The park also boasts a natural open-air Greek amphitheater and two gastronomic spots: the Santanero Bar offering quick bites and the Santanero Restó serving regional and gourmet dishes.
Characteristics of the Park
From the park entrance, an ascending path of 1,300 meters traverses natural forest areas, leading to various natural panoramic viewpoints and two observation decks. At the summit of the hill stands the main attraction, a cross constructed of iron (53 m) with a concrete base (30 m), reaching a total height of 82 meters. As visitors ascend, either by elevator or stairs, they can enjoy different panoramic views of the Misiones jungle.
Within the concrete base, there are exhibition halls, an auditorium, a restaurant, and restrooms. Behind the main building lies the “bioplaza,” around which other park attractions are arranged. Here, the province’s first butterfly garden was built, benefiting from an ideal ecosystem for optimal reproduction, along with an orchid garden, an events hall, and various gastronomic and craft shops in different sectors of the park.
On one side of the esplanade, a 700-meter trail opens up through open forest, allowing visitors to identify species and observe the native vegetation, animal species, and natural springs, thematically oriented towards religiosity. On the opposite side, a small Greek amphitheater is located, used for artistic presentations.
Located atop Cerro Santa Ana, 360 meters above sea level, the Parque Temático de la Cruz is nestled within 57.5 hectares of pure native Misiones forest. This park offers visitors an immersive experience in the natural beauty of the region, complete with spring water sources, indigenous tree species, local birds, and natural lookout points.
Senderos
One of the highlights of the park is its network of trails, which spans approximately 600 meters through the native forest. These trails offer two distinct experiences: an interpretative journey through the natural surroundings, allowing visitors to identify species and immerse themselves in the unique sounds of nature, and a religious route featuring 7 stations (Via Crucis) for prayer and reflection.
Capilla
At the heart of the park lies a distinctive chapel, whose architecture reflects a harmonious blend of the cross and the surrounding Misiones landscape. The altar serves as a focal point for contemplation, set amidst verdant greenery and natural beauty.
Anfiteatro Natural
The park also boasts a natural Greek amphitheater, providing an idyllic setting for cultural and artistic events. Visitors can enjoy performances, share a mate or snack with friends, and bask in the splendor of nature’s amphitheater.
El Teatro de la Selva
For those seeking indoor entertainment, the park offers El Teatro de la Selva, a modern auditorium with excellent acoustics and a warm ambiance. This venue hosts a variety of scheduled events, providing visitors with opportunities for cultural enrichment.
Mariposario
Nestled behind the towering Cruz, visitors will find the Mariposario, a butterfly sanctuary set amidst a lush bioplaza. Here, specially curated ecosystems provide optimal conditions for the reproduction of various butterfly species. Visitors can observe these graceful creatures in flight and witness their complete life cycle.
Vivero
The park’s nursery features three greenhouses cultivating native plants without the use of fertilizers. These plants serve as food for the caterpillars in the Mariposario, ensuring their healthy development. Additionally, an organic garden supplies the park’s gastronomic venues with fresh greens and herbs.
The Cross
Upon entering the park, various transportation modes are available to ascend to the main building. At the end of this journey, visitors encounter the park’s namesake, the main cross. This monumental structure comprises a 30-meter-high reinforced concrete building. Atop this building stands the cross, a 52-meter-tall metallic structure, totaling 82 meters in height.
The grand cross was crafted with hot-dip galvanized metal profiles, taking the shape of a typical Latin cross. Visitors can ascend to its arms via an elevator, providing a breathtaking view of the landscape from above. The base of the cross features curved exteriors with ramps and external staircases, facilitating access to various lookout points and terraces, offering multiple panoramic vistas above the maximum height of the vegetation.
On the second floor, the Santanero Bar offers quick-service gastronomy, allowing visitors to either dine on its terrace or take their orders to their preferred spot within the park. Restrooms are also available in this area. Within the building’s interior lies the Teatro de la Selva, a modern, warm auditorium equipped with a stage and acoustics for scheduled events.
As night falls, the cross’s illumination creates another captivating experience, with intense colors altering the vision amidst the forest. On Saturday nights, visitors can access the arms of the cross and enjoy this spectacle.
Access and Circulation
The Parque Temático de la Cruz is accessible for individuals with reduced mobility, featuring ramps, elevators, railings, and trails throughout the premises. At the entrance, facilities include a barrier, reception area housing the sanitization point, parking, and ticket booths.
Upon entry, visitors can choose to ascend to the upper sector where La Cruz and other points of interest are located, either via the park’s transportation or by embarking on a pedestrian journey along natural trails. Along the way, two lookout points offer views of the Misiones forest’s topography.
At the end of the journey, visitors reach the main building of La Cruz, where a tourist information officer awaits to provide guidance on various routes and gastronomic services.
Gastronomy
- Santanero Restó Classic cuisine with Misiones tradition. Open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Saturdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm.
- Santanero Bar Located on the second floor of the Cruz building, offering quick-service dining options. Open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
History and Construction
The impressive structure was inaugurated on April 14, 2011, with the presence of the governor of the province, Maurice Closs; the president of the Chamber of Representatives and project mentor, Carlos Rovira; the Minister of Tourism of the Nation, Enrique Meyer; provincial government authorities, and mayors from other localities. The apostolic nuncio, Adriano Bernardini, read the blessing sent by Pope Benedict XVI.
Costing over 40 million pesos, the park is seen by the Closs government as “a strong commitment of the provincial government to the tourist development of the region.”
Starting with the idea of building the cross, it was intended to give the place greater content due to its “spatiality,” the potential of the site, and a proposal for longer stays for tourists. There are few crosses built in the middle of the jungle in the world. The integral use of the available surface was planned for the work, with the guideline of preserving the existing ecosystem; areas degraded by humans were used for the placement of structures, roads, parking lots, and recreational areas.
During the tour, there are two viewpoints on both sides of the path, allowing the first panoramic views of the Misiones landscape.
Additional Information
| Country | City | In operation | Status | Type |
| Argentina | Santa Ana | April 14, 2011 to present | Active | Fixed |