Córdoba

By Shawn O'Bryant

Deeply cultural and youthfully energetic, Córdoba defies dichotomies of old and new to exist as a uniquely meshed synthesis of fresh and classic. Córdoba city is the place in Argentina where past and present come together, where farmers rub shoulders with faculty members – a cozy place, despite its size, seething with cultural activity.

Founded in 1573, Cordoba was the original capital of Argentina and is now the country's second largest city and one of its most important university towns. Filled with churches, cathedrals, plazas, parks and monuments, as well as thousands of students, the city is both the face of Argentina’s new generation and that of colonial prestige.

The city is divided into two distinct sectors, Viejo Córdoba and Nueva Córdoba. Viejo Córdoba is generally accepted as the heart of the city and encompasses the nucleus of shopping, services and colonial architecture. Nueva Córdoba is the student district, packed full of cheap student housing, lots of coffee shops, universities and massive amounts of nightclubs and bars. This is a vigorous, friendly and youthful city. The locals quickly take visitors under their wing and introduce them to the city's outdoor way of life--animated discussions can be seen taking place daily on almost every street corner.

Viejo Córdoba's center is criss-crossed by not one but six distinct pedestrians shopping streets. A walk through the hubbub will reveal not only modern shopping centers but also impressive feats of colonial architecture and multiple plazas. Many of the foot-malls themselves wind underneath living ceilings of droopy vines which provide comfortable shade with their latticework. Plaza San Martín, with famous Inglesia Catedral dominating the surrounding skyline is the center of the action. From there you can orientate yourself and start exploring the nearby sights. Also make sure to check out the Manzana Jesuitíca (Jesuit sector), which has a lively atmosphere and also impressive relics of Colonial ingenuity and architecture. The second university in all of South America was opened here during the 1600's and it is still one of the most prestigious institutions in all of Argentina.

Córdoba has remained centrally important to the education of Argentina's youth for centuries, a fact which becomes apparent with a stroll into Nueva Córdoba. Twelve percent of the city is enrolled in educational institutions and so it is not surprising that the locals boast you can find a party Lunes a Lunes (Monday to Monday). Nueva Córdoba also has a number of impressive museums and sprawling Parque Sarmiento which is a massive lush park, perfect for a sunbath or a siesta. Córdoba is above all travel friendly. A wealth of interesting sights, delicious restaurants, easy accommodation, thumping clubs, fascinating history and easy access to the surrounding Sierras (small mountains) makes it a destination which intrigues on multiple fronts. Whether interested in history, nightlife, art, theatre, studying, shopping or a little of everything, Córdoba will deliver.

On the horizon, ancient hills tower over pristine valleys with their winding streams. Amazing landscapes just outside the city offer the ideal venue for outdoor activities and adventure sports. Not surprisingly, many travelers passing through this centrally located metropolis decide to stop over for a while to enjoy all it has to offer.

With its hot summers and dry, sunny winters, the local weather never gives anybody an excuse to stay at home. Winters are especially suited to hiking and horse trekking through the hills, whereas summers invite one to bathe in rivers and lakes. Fall and spring also have their charms, with long, sunny days, and temperatures averaging 25º celsius.

The Jesuits left their mark on this province. The best examples of colonial painting, sculpture and architecture are displayed in the many estancias (colonial ranches) and historical buildings that the UNESCO has singled out for the distinction of "Humanity's Cultural Heritage".

Nature showers its blessings of bio-diversity here--bird watchers and enthusiasts of flora are fascinated by the wide variety of native species. The "Parque Nacional Quebrada del Cóndorito" (The Little Condor's Gully National Park) is the local "flight training school" for the new generations of this majestic bird's local population.