Escuela de Lenguas UNLP/About Argentina/Tourist Attractions/Salta (province)

The province of Salta is located in the Northwest of Argentina and amazes visitors for its geographical, cultural heterogeneity and a strong tradition. Its territory has an area of 155,488 square kms. and covers all types of landscapes. It’s on the tropic of Capricorn, and receives both tropical and temperate influences. There are five main climates in the province: the climate of the Impenetrable to the east, the Yungas, the climate of low valleys, the climate of the Altiplano, and the climate of the highest peaks.

The Capital City

Its capital is the city of Salta, home of the government house. The city is considered the tourism capital of Argentina´s northwest region. Founded in 1582 by Hernando de Lerma, today the city is commonly known as “Salta, la Linda” (Salta, the Pretty). Its name comes from the word “sagta” which means beautiful in the language of the Aymara indigenous people.

• Plaza 9 de Julio

The main square of Salta, named 9 de Julio (Argentine Independence Day), is the heart of the city. It’s considered to be the place where the explorer Hernando de Lerma founded Salta in 1582 and,like most Spanish colonial cities, there was a Cabildo, which is today the Historical Museum, on one side of the plaza, and a Cathedral on its north side. On its western side is the High Mountain Archaeological Museum, dedicated to the preservation of Andean culture and anthropology. Its highlight pieces are three mummified and perfectly preserved Inca children discovered at Llullaillaco Volcano in 1999.

Salta has characteristics that mark its personality. One is the spirituality and faith of its people. Testimony of this are its temples, churches and chapels. The Procession of the Lord and the Virgin of the Miracle is the most important act of faith, calling each year more than 700.000 people.

• Salta´s Cathedral

One of the typical characteristic of the Cathedral of Salta is the colors of its facade, pink and yellow. The altarpiece is made of gold. The most important relics in the Cathedral are the statuettes of Christ and the Virgin (the Lord and the Virgin of Miracles). These two relics are the centerpieces of Salta’s annual procession, on September 15th.

• San Bernardo Convent

It is the oldest of the religious constructions of Salta. Its construction begun by the end of the 16th century. From the middle of the past century it is Monastery of Carmelite. Its vestibule of carob tree carved by native hands constitutes a jewel of the art of Salta. In 1941it was declared national historical monument.

• San Francisco Church

Unmistakable with its high tower and its characteristic colors (terracotta and ivory), important historical events took place within it. The San Francisco convent was finished between 1789 and 1796, but the tower was built afterwards. In 1870 Fray Luis Giorgi brought Italian architects and builders to build it. Its 57 meters of height make it one of the tallest ones in the American continent.

• Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria

It is another very important architectonic work of the city. The Virgin of the Candelaria brought from Campo Santo is located in the main altar. The temple counts with cuzqueña culture paintings of great value.

Salta is a great place to shop for leather, ceramic and textile goods. The best place to shop is at the Mercado Artesanal.

For panoramic views of Salta, and the city’s surroundings, the visitors can take a cable car to Cerro San Bernardo (San Bernardo hill). At the hilltop there are various balconies and lookout points, and terraced gardens.

Places near the city (from 30 to 50 km)

• San Lorenzo. It’s a summer village, characterized by its subtropical microclimate.

• Campo Quijano ("The portal of the Andes”) It’s the gateway to the road to the Puna. This small town has colonial architecture and it´s near the mountain. It has lush vegetation of incomparable beauty.

More distant places (more than 100 km )

• The train to the clouds: An unforgettable journey to find the best scenery and culture of its people. Rises to 4200 meters, crossing 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 rollers and 2 zigzags.

• Puna: Located more than 4,000 meters are snow capped peaks, vast seas of salt, lagoons full of flamingos and vicunas that blend into the desert landscape.

One of the most interesting aspects of this remote region is the culture of its inhabitants. Towns like San Antonio de losCobres and Tolar Grande preserved ancient customs that are reflected in cultural events such as the Pachamama, the misachicos and apacheta, among others.

• Salinas grandes: It is a sector of the Puna to enjoy the sunset in one of the most amazing landscapes of this region with deep sky blue and a blinding sun. Salinas Grandes is very close to Purmamarca. It is the largest salt desert in the country. It is located at an altitude of 4.000 meters and it covers an area of around 12.000 hectares of a dazzling white colour.

It is believed that they are the remains of an ancient sea. Thousands of tourists visit them every year because they are considered to be one of the most unusual natural landscapes in the world. You can cross them by car or by bus.

• Barrancas: Nearby Salinas Grandes, you can find a little and picturesque town called “Barrancas” with the typical geography of the Puna of Atacama. There is no green vegetation here because the land is very arid.

It has a population of only 200 inhabitants who live in houses made of adobe that blend into the landscape. Their typical food is llama casseroled with potatoes and aromatic herbs. The locals do craftwork in wood, black ceramic and even salt. There are also archeological remains in the area with a great variety of rock art designs. If you go to Jujuy, don’t miss Barrancas!

• Cachi: La Quebrada del Escoipe serves as a prelude to the winding Cuesta del Obispo;continues the Los Cardones National Park, Payogasta and finally Cachi, a town that keeps its identity intact.

• Cafayate: The way to Cafayate owns one of the most stunning scenery with its strange eroded rock formations. Cafayate has large wineries and vineyards, and preserves the Calchaqui indigenous culture.

• WineRoute: In Salta, cultivation of the vine was introduced by the Jesuits in the eighteenth century, mainly in Cafayate. Today the vineyards are spread over 1800 hectares between the departments of Cafayate, San Carlos, Angastaco and Molinos, all in the Calchaquíes Valleys. In recent years the industry has experienced tremendous growth and its wines are recognized in markets and international competitions.

Iruya

Iruya view

Iruya is a small town in the north west of Argentina. It is located in the province of Salta at an altitude of 2,780 meters above sea level and 300 kilometres away from the capital city. The road that leads to Iruya is impressive and the variety of colours is the perfect prelude to the encounter with this beautiful village that seems to hang from the mountain.

Iruya appears Ssuddenly as if lost in the mountains of Salta and almost disconnected from the rest of the territory. It’s a fairy-tale village. The town keeps its narrow and steep cobbled streets, with houses made of stone, brick and straw.

Iruya street view

Iruya church view

Walking along its streets at night is like walking between the stars and the sky. It seems that you can catch them with your hands. People from Iruya persist in their simplicity, their typical clothing and customs. They cultivate the Andean potato, beans, corn, alfalfa, barley, wild barley, and fodder for their animals in extensive terraces during the winter. A must if you visit Salta!