Page 158 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

156  ARGENTINA REGION B Y REGION

Horse riding on a sunny evening in the open countryside outside Tandil city
q Tandil Independence) was built on w Sierra de la
Road map C3. 100 miles (160 km) S the site in 1823. It was razed 50 Ventana
of Buenos Aires. * 110,000. @ years later to make way for the Road map C3. 20 miles (30 km) NW
n Ave Espora 1120, (0249) 443-2073. town’s expansion. The nearby of Sierra de la Ventana village. £
∑ tandil.gov.ar Neo-Gothic Templo de la n Ave del Golf s/n, Sierra de la
Inmaculada Concepción, built Ventana; (0291) 491-5303. 
The attractive town of Tandil in 1878, incorporates stones ∑ comarcaturistica.com.ar
nestles among Sistema de from the fort.
Tandilia. These are gently Tandil’s Museo de Bellas The Pampas region is mostly
undulating granite hills that rise Artes, located south of the undulating, but the Sierra de
to about 1,800 ft (550 m) above plaza, boasts works by local la Ventana rises to more than
sea level. The town offers artists as well as a handful of 3,900 ft (1,200 m) above sea
weekend breaks to porteños minor pieces by acknowledged level. The range is named after
who want a getaway to the hills Argentinian masters such as the ventana (window), a rock
but cannot travel as far as the Berni and Quinquela Martín. formation on the tallest of its
Andes. Tandil is extremely North of Plaza Independencia peaks, Cerro de la Ventana. This
popular during Easter, the time is another interesting site, the summit lies within Parque
when the Stations of the Cross Museo Tradicionalista, which Provincial Ernesto Tornquist.
pro cession takes place. The walk has exhibits of photographs The range is more rugged
ends at Monte Calvario, a hillock and art collected by local than Sistema de Tandilia and
topped by a large cross east of families. There is also a good is a popular spot for outdoor
the town. The cobblestoned replica of a pulpería, a saloon- adventure, drawing hikers,
town center, Plaza Indepen- cum-general store, around climbers, cyclists, horse back
dencia, has been the focal point which gaucho life revolved.
of life in Tandil ever since the Tandil has good restaurants
Fuerte Independencia (Fort of and bars, along with a lively
nightlife. It is also famous for
its cured meats and cheeses.
Visitors should head south west
out of town to explore the
nearby hills. Cerro El Centinela
is the most popular climb, while
the higher Sierra Las Animas is
more difficult. Horse riding
and mountain biking are
popular activities.
E Museo de Bellas Artes
Chacabuco 367. Tel (0249) 443-2067.
Open 9am–noon, 5–8pm
Tue–Fri, 5–8pm Sat & Sun. Closed Jan.
∑ mumbat.com
E Museo Tradicionalista
Giant crucifix at the top of Monte Calvario, 4 de Abril 851. Tel (0249) 443-5573. The “window” formation at the summit of
east of Tandil Open 4–8pm Tue–Sun. & Cerro de la Ventana
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p280 and pp291–2

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm