Jesuit journey around Córdoba



When I travel to a country I would like to learn about its culture. The surroundings of Córdoba is the perfect place to visit Jesuit churches and find out about the Spanish inquisition in the 17th century. I visited three very interesting sites.






We left for the trip in the morning. First we visited a Jesuit farm in a town called Jesús María. This settlement used to be an Italian colony and was inhabited with Italian emigrants. The town is also famous for its festival of Doma, which is very similar to rodeo.
Logo of Doma Festivals every year
In the exhibition of the Jesuit farms we saw how the priests from Spain established schools, and how they educated the people. I have no clue where our tour guide got his qualification, but he was the person who touched, pushed, opened and replaced every item in the exhibition. While on the wall a table was hanging: "Do not touch!" Besides that, in front of every exhibition hall he willingly told us what is exhibited in the room. Of course, just in case we were not able to read exactly the same words at the entrance door.

Jesuit church in Jesús María
Garden of the Jesuit Church
After Jesús María we visited the Jesuit Church of Caroya.

Jesuit Church of Caroya
The Jesuits had African slaves working on the fields. Interestingly, thousands of slaves came from the black continent but today we can see almost no African people in the area. Did they disappear? - we asked. A DNS research however shows that 85% of the population of Córdoba and the surroundings has African origins.

Our last destination was the Santa Catalina farm and Jesuit church. Here we finally had a tour guide. He told us that the ville of 'only' 70 rooms was purchased by a noble man, and is still the property of the same family, which includes 450 sub-families. Every year during Christmas time only 90 families can spend here the holidays because of lack of space.

Garden of Santa Catalina
Corridor
The whole area is very well maintained. 5 restorers and many gardeners are working constantly on the buildings and the garden.

Santa Catalina Jesuit church

Inside the private church

On the way back to Córdoba we were passing by the ancient royal road, the Camino Real, which used to connect Buenos Aires with the north-western part of Argentina. These roads were quite dangerous considering the fact that there was no lightning. Therefore messengers tried to find an inn before the sunset. Another important connection point was the old post along the Camino Real. In the afternoon we were going back to Córdoba along this old road and I felt like a real messenger.

Camino Real - the Royal Road to the right
The old post building




About Tiny Girl With Big Bag

Hobby writer and autodidact photographer whose passion is to travel and get to know new people and cultures. She has been on 4 continents and 30 countries, and the outcome is this travel blog where she shares travel stories, thoughts, tips and photography always through a subjective eye.

Follow her @ Twitter | Facebook | Google+

No comments:

Post a Comment