Page 194 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

192  ARGENTINA REGION B Y REGION

large number of people, zamba, and there are regular
including the cream of folkloric concerts by top-notch
talent from all across the country. performers coming from
The city also serves as an ideal across Argentina.
base for those who wish to
explore the province’s rugged
and lovely unspoiled backcountry.
R Catedral de Nuestra Señora
del Valle
Plaza 25 de Mayo. Open 7am–noon,
5–8pm daily.

w Santiago del
Estero
Road map C1. 130 miles (210 km) NE
of Catamarca. * 245,000. @ ~
Statue of Virgen del Valle, Catedral de n Libertad 417 (0385) 4213-253.
Nuestra Señora del Valle ∑ sde.gob.ar
q San Fernando del Founded in 1553, Santiago del
Valle de Catamarca Estero is Argentina’s oldest city. The Neo-Classical exterior of the Catedral,
It was once full of attractive Santiago del Estero
Road map B2. 96 miles (154 km) NE colonial architecture, most of
of La Rioja. * 141,000. ~ @
n Ave Gral. Roca 50, Manzana which has been damaged by e Termas de Río
de Turismo, (0383) 445-5308. natural causes or razed to make Hondo
_ National Poncho Festival (Jul). way for new buildings.
∑ turismocatamarca.gob.ar There are, however, a few sites Road map B1. 40 miles (65 km) NW
worth visiting, including the of Santiago del Estero. * 27,000.
Founded in 1683, San Fernan- Neo-Classical Catedral, built in @ n Sarmiento 343, (03858) 421-
do del Valle de Catamarca, 1867 on the site of the former 768. ∑ sde.gob.ar
usually called just Catamarca, is 16th-century structure. It
the capital of the San Fernando contains a variety of ancient Located on the banks of Río
province. It is a quiet town that relics of saints. The Provincial Dulce (Sweet River), Termas
has a number of sights worth History Museum, set in a grand de Río Hondo is South America’s
seeing, though it is advis able to 18th-century town house, is also biggest spa town, packed in
keep away during the area’s hot a fascinating place to explore. the high season with visitors
summer months. Santiago del Estero has a “taking the cure.” The spring
The city’s nucleus is its main strong musical tradition. It was waters, rich in minerals, gush
square, Plaza 25 de Mayo, the birthplace of the chacarera, out of every hotel tap and
designed by French landscaper one of Argentina’s most fill several public baths
Charles Thays. The palm, orange, exuberant folkloric styles, which across town. The waters
and palo borracho trees provide developed in the mid-19th are said to be partic ularly
welcome shade from the century (see p35). Another folk effective against rheu matism
blistering afternoon sun. On the rhythm and dance here is the and hypertension.
western side of the square is
the 19th-century Neo-Classical
Catedral de Nuestra Señora
del Valle. Under its brick-red
terracotta façade, it houses, in
an elab orate antechamber, one
of the country’s most venerated
religious relics: the diamond-
crowned statue of the Virgen
del Valle. She is said to have
“appeared” to locals in the 19th
century, and her graven image
now attracts thousands of
pilgrims on the saint’s feast day
in December.
Catamarca’s lively annual
National Poncho Festival, held
traditionally in July, also draws a A pool filled with spring water in a spa hotel, Termas de Río Hondo
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp280–81 and pp293–4

192-193_EW_Argentina.indd 192 05/08/16 10:41 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm