The history of the cultural development of Córdoba province is inextricably linked to the Jesuit legacy’s expansion on this land. The Jesuit heritage has become a very valuable tourism reference for the visitors that decide to travel to Argentina, especially to this province, where the work and footprint of the Jesuits has been declared Humanity Heritage in 2000.
There are five Jesuit Estancias (farming estates) that can be visited in Córdoba province: Colonia Caroya (1616), Jesús María (1618), Santa Catalina (1622), Alta Gracia (1643), and La Candelaria (1678). We can add the Jesuit Block located in Córdoba city to that list, which dates back to 1599.
All these buildings were declared Humanity Heritage since they are “exceptional examples of a vast religious, political, economic, legal, and cultural system, where the Jesuit’s, the original peoples’ and the enslaved african people’s legacies come together”.
All these buildings are standing, they can be visited, and provide an account of the Jesuit’s life and work. The Road of the Jesuit Estancias and Block allows us to know and discover the cultural importance and the scenic magic of these historic landmarks, linked to Córdoba province’s identity and development.
Jesuit Block
One of the must-do tours when visiting Córdoba city is the Jesuit Block. This compound located in downtown is made up of Iglesia de la Compañía (Company’s Church), Capilla Doméstica (Domestic Chapel), and Residencia de los padres (Priests’ residency), besides of the ancient Rectorado de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (which was previously Colegio Máximo de la Compañía [a High School for the university]) and Colegio Nacional de Monserrat (National secondary school).
This work dates back to 1599 and exhibits the Jesuit’s vocation of teaching, whose legacy and footprint made the nickname of “Docta” (learned) for Córdoba possible.
The Jesuit Block was declared a National and State Historic Monument, and Humanity Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. For details on visiting hours, contact the Jesuit Block’s telephone number: (0351) 4332075
Caroya Estancia
Caroya Estancia, located in Colonia Caroya, is the first rural estate organized by Compañía de Jesús religious order in 1616 and grew linked to the closest estate, Jesús María Estancia (a few miles far from it). The estate went through various historic stages that devoted the facilities to several activities. It was a summer residence for Colegio Nacional de Monserrat students, then, in 1878, the National state adopted the residence to shelter immigrants from Friuli region, who founded the current city of Colonia Caroya, which keeps in its identity the farming work, the production of wine and charcuterie, well known for their quality and manufacture. Visitors can tour the Museo Histórico y de los Inmigrantes, where they can hear about the productive and technical systems used by the Jesuits. Caroya Estancia was declared a National and State Historic Monument, and Humanity Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. For details on visiting hours, contact the Estancia’s telephone number: (03525) 426701/428581
Jesús María Estancia
Jesús María Estancia became a reality in 1618. It was mainly used for the production of wine. In its lands, it has a church, a residency and a wine cellar, and the former mills, perchel and tajamar (a small dam).
There is a museum where visitors can watch religious objects and an archaeological collection of sculptures and objects from the 18th and 19th century. There are also engravings from various periods, coins and medals. The estate-museum organizes conferences and seminars all year long, along with the guided tours. In 1740, thanks to the work on vineyards, its wine production was materialized in “Lagrimilla de oro”, the first wine made in Río de la Plata viceroyalty.
Jesús María Estancia was declared National and State Historic Monument, and Humanity Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. For details on visiting hours, contact the Estancia’s telephone number: (03525) 420126
Santa Catalina Estancia
In 1622, the Jesuits started building the biggest facility outside Córdoba city, Santa Catalina Estancia (on the road to Ascochinga), where they implemented farming and cattle breeding.
With a local guide, visitors can discover how it keeps a unique design from the 17th and 18th centuries. There is a massive church with Central European baroque influence. Next to the church, there is a small graveyard, the residency and three courtyards, attached premises, and a vegetable garden. Detached from the main building, we find the novitiate and a group of small houses for slaves. There is also a hydraulic system and the remains of other facilities from those years.
Santa Catalina Estancia was declared a National and State National Monument, and Humanity Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. For details on visiting hours, contact the Estancia’s telephone number: (0351) 5609769
Alta Gracia Estancia
Just 23.6 miles from Córdoba city, a must-stop to discover the Jesuit heritage in our province is Alta Gracia Estancia. The building dates back to 1643, so visiting it is a journey through time and history.
The estate is made up of a church with an Italian Baroque style that stands out because of its facade with no towers. Next to it, there is a L-shape residency, where the Museo Nacional Estancia Jesuítica de Alta Gracia y Casa del Virrey Liniers functions. In the interior, there is a shocking collection of objects from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and temporal exhibits and a large number of annual cultural activities (concerts, conferences, workshops). Its main courtyard is very beautiful, and so are the adjacent facilities, like the tajamar, the mill’s ruins, and the ancient furnace. Tours are very busy.
Alta Gracia Estancia was declared a National and State Historic Monument, and Humanity Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. For details on visiting hours, contact the Estancia’s telephone number: (03547) 421303 – 428734
La Candelaria Estancia
93.2 miles from Córdoba city, organized by Compañía de Jesús in 1683, this estate stood out as a cattle breeding facility. With an extension of 741,300 acres, the Jesuits bred mules, which were destined to trade with Alto Perú. It’s the Jesuit building with the best kept structure of all the estates.
Steeped in an unspoiled natural setting, it has a chapel and a residency. Visitors can also see the ruins of small houses for slaves, the workshop, the corral and the remains of the hydraulic system (tajamar, ditches and mill). Next to it, there is a church, where we can find a wooden image of Virgen de las Candelas.
La Candelaria Estancia was declared a National and State Historic Monument, and Humanity Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. For details on visiting hours, contact the Estancia’s telephone number: (0351) 4333425
