Page 200 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

198  ARGENTINA REGION B Y REGION

Exploring Salta colonial structure in the city.
The cabildo was exten sively, and
Founded in 1582, Salta is derived from the Diaguita word rather clumsily, reconfigured in
sagta, which means “beautiful.” With its dramatic Andean 1780, resulting in two rows of
backdrop, its array of well-preserved colonial and neo- arches that do not line up.
colonial buildings, and its thriving cultural and gastronomic Inside the cabildo is the
Museo Histórico del Norte,
scene, it is a city that lives up to its name. As well as being the which exhibits various arti facts
ideal base from which to explore its namesake province, Salta from the pre-Columbian,
provides a range of interesting things to see and experience. colonial, and 19th-century
A large number of the city’s most beautiful and historically epochs, including coins,
important buildings are clustered around Plaza 9 de Julio. archaeo logical finds, architec-
tural blueprints, and colonial
Salta has excellent restaurants and lively peñas (folk music furniture. Noteworthy is the
venues) where many regional delicacies can be sampled, superb 18th-century wooden
such as the delicious empanadas salteñas and locro stew. pulpit depicting saints
Augustine, Jerome, Ambrose,
and Aquinas. Temporary exhibi-
tions are held regularly and
showcase the work of
contemporary artists from the
region. Workshops and activities
for children also take place here.
E Museo de Arqueología de
Alta Montaña de Salta
Mitre 77. Tel (0387) 437-0592.
Open 11am–7:30pm Tue–Sun. &
free Wed. 8 prior arrangement only.
7 - = ∑ maam.gob.ar
Dedicated to cultures and
peoples found in high-altitude
A cluster of sidewalk cafés lining the streets of Salta locations, this is one of the best
museums of its kind in the
P Plaza 9 de Julio E Cabildo de Salta country. It was set up by the
Bounded by Calles Caseros, España, Caseros 549. Tel (0387) 421-5340. provincial government in order
Mitre, & Zuviría. Open 9:30am–1:30pm, 3:30–8:30pm to exhibit the Llullaillaco
One of the most attractive and Tue–Sun, 4:30–8:30pm Sat. & 8 Children. These three Inca infants
best-maintained town squares 11am, 12:30pm, 5pm, & 7pm. 7 - were found in 1999, preserved
in the country, Plaza 9 de Julio = ∑ museonor.gov.ar/cabildo in ice near the peak of Mount
is Salta’s center and the most Museo Histórico del Norte Tel same Llullaillaco, the highest peak in
logical place from which to as the Cabildo. Open 9am–6pm Tue– the Salta province. They were
Fri, 9am–1:30pm Sat & Sun.
start exploring the city. The buried in the 1400s just prior
middle section of the square On the southern side of Plaza to the Spanish conquest and a
comprises plenty of greenery 9 de Julio, the white-façaded natural process of mummi-
in the form of palm and tipa Cabildo de Salta was originally fication left them perfectly
trees, as well as fountains, built in the early 17th century preserved. The permanent
benches, and a lovely and is the oldest surviving collection includes over 150
19th-century bandstand. It is
bordered on all sides by elegant
recovas, perfect for sipping a
coffee and watching the city’s
ebb and flow.
The northern end of the
plaza is dominated by the
cream-colored Catedral
Basílica de Salta. Originally a
Neo-Gothic structure, it was
built by Italian architects in
1882 to mark the city’s third
centenary, and later remodeled
in the Neo-Classical style. Some
eye-catching frescoes adorn
the interior walls. The elegant arches and shaded courtyard of Cabildo de Salta
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp280–81 and pp293–4

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