Aside from a beautiful setting and friendly people, there are many historical and religious tourist attractions in Cordoba, Argentina. And it’s easy to reach. Just catch a cheap flight from Buenos Aires. Compare prices and convenience before making the final decision.
The Jesuit Influence
Jesuit Square, located in Cordoba, Argentina, is a historical site and was officially recognized as a Cultural Heritage site in the year 2000. This consists of an entire block of Jesuit religious and secular buildings, and also includes the oldest church as well as the oldest university in Argentina.
The Jesuit’s Block is an educational campus that was handed down to the Society of Jesus briefly after Cordoba’s foundation. Including the farms controlled by the Jesuits on the outer parts of Cordoba, the Jesuit’s Block is also a World Heritage Site. It includes a Spanish colonial church building with a beautiful dome constructed of Paraguayan cedar, many residences, along with a secondary school and historically known as one of the oldest universities in South America. Although there is a modest fee for admission, once you gain entry, the guided tours of the grounds and surroundings are free of charge.
The Jesuits, near the beginning of the 18th century, built what is called the Cripta Jesuítica. Initially, it was designed as a place where novices live, and then later, it was transformed into an underground chamber and crematorium. After the Jesuits were expelled, the Cripta Jesuitica was abandoned and eventually was demolished in 1829 when the city, while enlarging Av Colón, forced the roof into the subterranean naves and built over the whole structure. Everything remained quiet about it until the day Telecom, while they were telephone cable underground in 1989, accidentally came upon it. The city, has an entirely new outlook on similar treasures, and therefore, paying extremely close attention to perfection, restored the underground chamber and crematorium and today, it is used regularly for musical performances and plays as well as exhibits for displaying artwork. Entry ways are located on either side of Av Colón near the centre of the Rivera Indarte pedestrian mall.
Cordoba Cathedral
The Cordoba Cathedral began its construction phase in 1577 and continued through the building
Process for more than two centuries that included several architects, including Jesuits and Franciscans. Even though it is relatively basic from the perspective of what a typical cathedral looks like, it’s nonetheless a beautiful structure indeed. On the very top of the cathedral sits a Roman-style dome. The cathedral overlooks Plaza San Martín. The luxurious inside was painted by local painter Emilio Caraffa. The site offers tourists guided visits that leave every hour on the hour from 9am – 5pm. The meeting place for the guided tour is at the entryway on the north side of the cathedral.
Museums
Museo de Ninos Barrilete is a children’s museum that is extremely interactive and makes kids think about why certain things happen the way they do, on their own, before given the answers to the questions at hand. Smaller children especially find this museum very exciting and fun. The only downside is that you need to call in advance to make sure they are open.
Museo Historico Provincial Marques de Sobre Monte – Cordoba’s first Spanish governor resided and worked from home in this very large colonial house, which is still filled with antique furniture, long antique rifles, horse saddles, military clothing and uniforms and many other 18th-century artifacts.