Candelaria Cattle Ranch (1683)

The Estancia de La Candelaria is located at very Heart of the sierras (mountain range). Its stonewalls with only two doorways and small windows fortified this estancia to protect the inhabitants from aborigine attacks. The Estancia de La Candelaria was organized and consolidated in 1683. It was the best example of a rural establishment located in the sierras with cattle breeding activity, mainly mules used to carry goods from and to the Alto Perú. On the other hand, the geographical features hampered the development of agriculture on a large scale. When the Jesuits were expelled, the Junta de Temporalidades split up the property through successive sales. The residence of the estancia, which was declared Historic National Monument in 1941, was acquired by the government of the Province of Córdoba in 1982 to be used as a site interpretation center of rural life.

The Estancia de La Candelaria includes the chapel, the residence and the annexed buildings, the remains of the rancherías (rooms with piled up stone walls and straw roof for the slaves), corrals, remains of the tajamar, windmill and irrigation channels. The Estancia de La Candelaria is unique of Córdoba because it is a middle point between a small fort and residence with sanctuary.

The church façade is worth seeing; it is made up of only one nave crowned by Baroque bell gable, which is the only silhouette that stands over the linear construction. The inside of the chapel is decorated by pillars and is covered with wood tie beams. It preserves the original masonry of the altarpiece ornamented with pillars and small columns. An antique image of Virgin de La Candelaria carved out of wood can be admired in the altarpiece.