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Country: Argentine City: Cordoba |
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There are three routes to take when visiting the most interesting sites in the historical center, the second city of the country. Weíll be captivated by its majestic heart and colonial architecture that are filled with elegance and splendor, inherited from a rich history and colonial architecture.
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The first site is the Town Hall, built by the marquis Sobremonte.
We recommend visiting the subterranean cells and the so-called"Salon Rojo" (Red Room). Often there are concerts in the "Patio Mayor" (Main Courtyard) and art exhibitions.
A few steps ahead stands the Cathedral, which was initiated in 1574 and wasn´t finished until two centuries after. The result was a mixture of styles, unified by the monumentality of the work.
Opposite these two buildings is the plaza "San Martin", built in 1577. The plazas lovely gardens date back to the second half of the 19th century. The central monument, dedicated to the general San Martin, was inaugurated in 1916. Next place to see is "Museo de Arte Religioso Juan de Tejeda" (Museum of Religious Art Juan de Tejeda), the only one of its kind in Argentina. The museum exhibits the valuable collections of religious art that belonged to the cathedral long ago.
Nearby there is the pedestrian zone Obispo Trejo, where you can admire interesting 19th century constructions. You must make a stop at the "Universidad Nacional de Cordoba", which is the first university the country has seen, and its Main Library with priceless incunabular books.
Next to the university you will find the Compañia de Jesus Church, with a certain aspect of a medieval fortress, consecrated in 1671 and considered the oldest in Argentina.
Last but not least, the San Martin Theater, the oldest in the country, was inaugurated in 1891 and has an excellent acoustic.
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We part from "Pasaje Santa Catalina", an alley that separates the Town Hall and the Cathedral, and head towards the church Santa Catalina de Sena, which dates back to 1613. In the churchís convent there is a priceless collection of Cuzcan colonial paintings, tapestry, and 18th century handmade rugs. Further ahead, on General Paz Avenue, is the basilica Santo Domingo, constructed in the 17th century and remodeled in the 18th century. The glazed tile on the towers are outstanding, as well as a lovely niche for the Virgin of the Rosary and the Miracle, patron of the city Cordoba, as an image that miraculously appeared floating in front of the El Callao port, in Peru, in 1592.
On Sucre Street there is Plaza Italia with a beautiful sculpture of Romulus and Remus, and a handicrafts outdoors fair. Further ahead, and crossing the small stream of La Cañada on one of its romantic stone bridges, is the City Hall "6 de Julio", named after the date the city was founded on July 6th of 1573.
We part from "Museo Eclesi·stico Dean Gregorio Funes" (Eclessiastic Museum Dean Gregorio Funes), opposite Plaza San Martin. The museum is located inside an 18th century house and has an impressive exhibition of religious art. Next to the museum is "Centro Municipal de Exposiciones Obispo Mercadillo" (Municipal Center of Exhibitions Obispo Mercadillo), where artistic and handicrafts collections are exhibited, a bazaar of artists, and "Las Dulzuras Tradicionales de Cordoba" (The Traditional Sweets of Cordoba, a bazaar of typical pastry and sweets).
In the corner of Rivera Indarte and Colon streets is "Cripta Jesuitica del Noviciado Viejo" (Jesuitical Crypt of the Old Novitiate), a singular subterranean temple that had been ignored for a long time until, in 1989, some workers found it while installing electric cables. The temple dates back to the early 18th century and served as a Jesuit prayer place; today it is used for concerts, theatrical representations, and conferences.
We continue our trip through the pedestrian areas San Martin and 9 de Julio, where stores offer a little of everything, and end up at "Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced" (Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy), of which altars were elaborated by Antonio Font, head of a notable family of cordovan craftsmen.
From there we move up to "Museo Historico Provincial Marques de Sobremonte" (Provincial Historical Museum Marques de Sobremonte), a great example of 18th century civil architecture showing furniture and objects of those days.
Further ahead is Banco de Cordoba, an incredible building from 1889 with a marked Italian influence. From there, we head on towards Profundis room, which is probably the most antique edification of the country and which served as a refectory or dining room for monks; its wooden artisanry of Mudejar style is unique in Argentina.
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