Santa Fe is the capital of the region of the same name in north-central Argentina and is a charming city from which to discover this splendid country.
Santa Fe –whose full name is Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz– is an important reality in central-northern Argentina, capital of the region of the same name and commercial hub of the entire north of the state. Santa Fe is located about 400 kilometers from the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, 350 from Córdoba and 160 from Rosario, in a strategic position for those who also want to reach neighboring Uruguay.
Santa Fe was founded in 1573 by the Spanish general Juan de Garay as a commercial base on the banks of the river system that connected from Lake San Pedro to the Paraná River and from this to the Atlantic Ocean. If proximity to a major communication route was initially Santa Fe's fortune, it quickly became its downfall due to continued flooding. In 1653, precisely to avoid damage from floods, the city was evacuated and refounded in its current location, where the waters of the river could not have reached.
The importance of this center grew considerably during the 20th century when it became the headquarters of the prestigious Technological University of Santa Fe, which contributed to the development of the industrial and commercial district that had developed between the city and nearby Córdoba and Rosario.
Today Santa Fe continues to be one of the most important industrial centers in Argentina and although it is not one of the best-known and most visited destinations for international tourism, in its territory you can admire historical wonders and great cultural vivacity in addition to breathing the atmosphere. of An Authentic Argentina. In this guide we will discover the most interesting destinations and attractions that you should not miss on a trip to Santa Fe, in the heart of Argentina.
Il downtown santa fe It is presented to visitors arriving at the city as a large network of orthogonal streets, a direct legacy of the complete reconstruction of the city on its current site after the abandonment of the ancient city. The heart of Santa Fe is the elegant May 25 square, surrounded by evocative Spanish colonial-style buildings, such as the Government Palace, current headquarters of the Municipality of Santa Fe, the austere Church of the Company of Jesus, which hides wonderful baroque decorations inside, and the imposing façade of the Inmaculada School.
A few steps from the square opens up the splendid surroundings of the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, an elegant and well-kept public garden, where in addition to taking a quiet walk among trees and fountains you can visit the Provincial Historical Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. from Santa Fe.
Il Provincial Historical Museum It is an interesting museum institution that brings together a rich collection of objects, documents and photographs that cover the history of Santa Fe, the independence of Argentina and how it became one of the most important industrial centers in the country. He Ethnographic museum It is, however, the perfect place to discover the oldest history of Santa Fe, starting with the mysterious Guaraní civilization that inhabited this region for millennia and then was subjected to the long centuries of Spanish domination. Some of the most interesting pieces in the collection are stone board games dating from the 16th century, such as Tabulas, a type of backgammon imported by the Spanish conquistadors.
Once in the center of Santa Fe you cannot miss visiting Santa Fe Brewery, one of the most famous beer producing plants in Argentina. In this large production area you can book guided tours that will allow you to see all the stages of beer production and learn first-hand the fundamentals of cereal fermentation. While you are in the city you cannot miss the opportunity to taste the delicious asado, prepared by the masters of grilled meat or taste the empanadas, one of the most common dishes in all of Argentina.
Another must-see destination in Santa Fe is Florentino Ameghino Provincial Museum of Natural Sciences, a museum linked to the university that preserves a rich collection of animals, geological curiosities and fossils found in the Santa Fe area. The museum also offers numerous educational activities that make it very suitable for a visit with children and teenagers.
To visit one of the most interesting attractions of Santa Fe, it is necessary to leave the historic center and head north for about 60 kilometers along the river of the same name, until you reach the town of Cayasta. In this location is the Archaeological Park of the Ruins of Santa Fe, also called "La Vieja", which preserves the remains of the old historic center of Santa Fe, abandoned in 1600 due to the continuous flooding of the river. Walking through the archaeological park you can see the foundations of the buildings built by the Spanish and visit the Church of San Francisco, the only structure still standing after the evacuation. At the park's visitor center you can access interesting exhibits that trace the history of the site and see what the ancient city looked like thanks to the presence of detailed models and models.
