ARGENTINA REGION BY REGION - Argentina - page 192

Exploring Salta

colonial structure in the city.
The cabildo was extensively, and
rather clumsily, reconfigured in
1780, resulting in two rows of
arches that do not line up.
Inside the cabildo is the
Museo Histórico del Norte ,
which exhibits various artifacts
from the pre-Columbian,
colonial, and 19th-century
epochs, including coins,
archaeological finds, architec-
tural blueprints, and colonial
furniture. Noteworthy is the
superb 18th-century wooden
pulpit depicting saints
Augustine, Jerome, Ambrose,
and Aquinas. Temporary exhibi-
tions are held regularly and
showcase the work of
contemporary artists from the
region. Workshops and activities
for children also take place here.

Founded in 1582, Salta is derived from the Diaguita word
sagta , which means “beautiful.” With its dramatic Andean
backdrop, its array of well-preserved colonial and neo-
colonial buildings, and its thriving cultural and gastronomic
scene, it is a city that lives up to its name. As well as being the
ideal base from which to explore its namesake province, Salta
provides a range of interesting things to see and experience.
A large number of the city's most beautiful and historically
important buildings are clustered around Plaza 9 de Julio.
Salta has excellent restaurants and lively peñas (folk music
venues) where many regional delicacies can be sampled, such
as the delicious empanadas salteñas and locro stew.

E Museo de Arqueología de
Alta Montaña de Salta
Mitre 77. Te l [phone].
Open 11am-7:30pm Tue-Sun. &
free Wed. 8 prior arrangement only.
7 - = ∑ maam.gob.ar
Dedicated to cultures and
peoples found in high-altitude
locations, this is one of the best
museums of its kind in the
country. It was set up by the
provincial government in order
to exhibit the Llullaillaco
Children. These three Inca infants
were found in 1999, preserved
in ice near the peak of Mount
Llullaillaco, the highest peak in
the Salta province. They were
buried in the 1400s just prior to
the Spanish conquest and a
natural process of mummi-
fication left them perfectly
preserved. The permanent
collection includes over 150

A cluster of sidewalk cafés lining the streets of Salta

P Plaza 9 de Julio
Bounded by Calles Caseros, España,
Mitre, & Zuviría.
One of the most attractive and
best-maintained town squares
in the country, Plaza 9 de Julio
is Salta's center and the most
logical place from which to
start exploring the city. The
middle section of the square
comprises plenty of greenery
in the form of palm and tipa
trees, as well as fountains,
benches, and a lovely
19th-century bandstand. It is
bordered on all sides by elegant
recovas , perfect for sipping a
coffee and watching the city's
ebb and flow.
The northern end of the
plaza is dominated by the
cream-colored Catedral
Basílica de Salta . Originally a
Neo-Gothic structure, it was
built by Italian architects in
1882 to mark the city's third
centenary, and later remodeled
in the Neo-Classical style. Some
eye-catching frescoes adorn
the interior walls.

E Cabildo de Salta
Caseros 549. Te l [phone].
Open 9:30am-1:30pm, 3:30-8:30pm
Tue-Sun, 4:30-8:30pm Sat. & 8
11am, 12:30pm, 5pm, & 7pm. 7 -
= ∑ museonor.gov.ar/cabildo
Museo Histórico del Norte Te l same
as the Cabildo. Open 9am-6pm Tue-
Fri, 9am-1:30pm Sat & Sun.
On the southern side of Plaza
9 de Julio, the white-façaded
Cabildo de Salta was originally
built in the early 17th century
and is the oldest surviving

The elegant arches and shaded courtyard of Cabildo de Salta

For hotels and restaurants see pp278-83 and pp288-99