_Santa_María.jpg/300px-Plaza_Gral_M._Belgrano_(SE)_Santa_María.jpg) | ||
| Santa María del Yocavil | ||
| province | Catamarca | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 17.030 (2010) | |
| height | 1,885 m, 1,640 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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The town Santa María del Yocavil (also the spelling Yokavil exists) is in the north of the province Catamarca in the Andean northwestArgentina. With around 20,000 inhabitants, it is the largest city in the colorful mountain valley Valle Calchaquí and the natural region of the Quebradas.
The place is attractive because of its scenic charms as well as the numerous ruined cities in the area. Decisive battles between Spaniards and indigenous people in the 16th and 17th centuries were fought here, in which the colonial masters prevailed in the end and the Indians were largely deported as working slaves. However, a small group of them managed to get a piece of land in the area, from which today's neighboring village Amaichá del Valle originated.
background
The city has its origins in pre-Columbian Calchaquí culturewhose center is the fortress city Quilmes was. She belonged to the Diaguita ethnic group, a highly advanced, sedentary culture that was able to withstand the Incas for a long time. Nevertheless, the valley was conquered by them in 1480 and ruled until 1536.
At the same time, the Spaniards arrived in the region, but they were initially repulsed again and again. The first Spanish settlement was founded in 1550, but just like a Catholic mission from 1618 that was already called Santa María, it only lasted for a short time. After Quilmes was finally taken by the conquistadors in 1667, the way was clear for a settlement in the region. In 1710 the city was finally founded.
For archeology enthusiasts, Santa María is a worthwhile travel destination, as there are numerous old fortresses in the area. In particular, the fortress of Quilmes should be mentioned, the most famous archaeological site in the country, which is about 20 km north of the city and has been partially restored. But you will also find something in the suburbs of the city itself.
Despite its charming surroundings and the existing tourism, the city does not yet have the character of a tourist resort, but rather that of a normal northern Argentine town. Life takes place around the plaza, the siesta is strictly observed (2 pm-5pm). There, modern buildings (including the cathedral from the 1990s, a simple brick building) mix with old, colonial houses, which only define the scenery in the side streets.
getting there
By plane
The closest airport is San Miguel de Tucuman, from there you have to take a bus. Also an arrival via Salta and Cafayate is recommended.
In the street
Santa María is on Ruta Nacional 40. To the north, the road towards Salta is paved throughout, to the south a short distance (approx. 30 km) is missing Belén. From Tucumán you get to Santa María via the winding, but very attractive Ruta Provincial 307, which leads through four completely different landscapes, including through a jungle gorge.
By bus
The following cities are served directly:
- San Miguel de Tucumán / Tafí del Valle (several times a day, spectacular route) Society: Aconquija
- Salta (once a day) company: El Indio
- Cafayate (several times a day) companies: Aconquija and El Indio
- San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca (once a day) Society: Aconquija and Gutierrez
- Belén (three to four times a week, very rewarding trip) Companies: Parra and San Cayetano
The bus station is located at 9 de Julio 400, about 500 m south of the city center (tel. 421257). The buses to the north and to Tucumán (companies Aconquija and El Indio) also leave at the plaza.
mobility
There are buses to the numerous small suburbs, which are idyllic and hidden in side valleys. Santa María is also closely linked to the town Amaichá del Valle (15 km north in Tucumán)
Remiserias (radio taxis):
- Nueva draw, Tel. 420180/81
- Belgrano, Tel. 422850/622
- Rita Luján, Tel. 420192/041
- La Nueva Unión. Tel. 421230/232
- Virgen del Valle, Tel. 422600
- Miter, Tel. 420285
- Draw 0, Tel. 422280/281
Tourist Attractions
The buildings of Santa María are simpler than those of other cities in the Quebradas, but the side streets have a colonial flair.
- Archaeological Museum "Eric Boman". Finds from the region are exhibited there, for example from the Quilmes site and Las Mojarras. Integrated into the Yokavil cultural center.
- Yokavil Cultural Center, Belgrano street opposite the plaza. Here you can find information about cultural events in the city, especially with regard to the indigenous traditions. There is also a craft market.
- Pachamama statue. Approx. 10 m high figure at the northern entrance to the city on a roundabout, based on an Indian sculpture. She honors the goddess of space and time, i.e. of the entire cosmos, the Pachamama (often incorrectly translated as "mother earth", the term "earth" here takes on the general meaning of the entire world).
- Pucará Cerro Pintado, 2 km north of the center Las Mojarras. A local bus (every hour) drives to the suburb, but it is also easy to walk. The site has not yet been restored, so you can see the original walls of the houses. A guide lives to the left of the ascent, he does not like to see it when you climb alone (many tourists are said to have enriched themselves on the stones and finds), but you rarely meet him outside of the season.
- Fuerte Quemado. Archaeological site 8 km north of Las Mojarras. Here the Diaguitas built a "window" ("La Ventanita") on a mountain. You can climb this without any problems, but you could find that the window at the end is much smaller than expected. The window was used for astronomical purposes: at the beginning of winter, i.e. the lowest point of the sun, which coincides with the traditional South American New Year (the Inti-Raymi festival), the sun shines right through the arch onto the former location at the foot of the mountain and of which hard-to-see ruins remained. On this date, a festival is held every year at the foot of the mountain.
activities
There are good opportunities for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking in the area. Numerous paths cross the landscape. However, some properties are privately owned, especially in the direction of Fuerte Quemado, which you should not enter, which is also indicated by signs and / or fences.
A very worthwhile tour that can be easily done by bike (of course also by car or motorcycle) is the ride on the old Ruta 40 through the archaeological sites, starting with Las Mojarras and the Cerro Pintado, above Fuerte Quemado up to the Quilmes ruins. Details on the sites in sections Tourist Attractions and Quilmes ruins. A visit to the Pachamama Museum in Amaichá del Valle at.
shop
In the village itself there are a few small supermarkets and numerous shops, including the "counterfeiting market" typical of northwest Argentina. Since Santa María is the economic center of the Valle Calchaquí, you can also find specialist shops (e.g. for camping equipment), but you have to expect slightly higher prices than in the big cities. The shopping center is not to be found directly around the plaza, but on Miter Street, 100 meters west of it.
There is also a craft market in the plaza. The craftsmen are organized in an association (Asociación de Artesanos de Santa María) and move through the cities in the area during the season, for example to the Pachamama festival in Amaichá del Valle.
kitchen
- El Colonial del Valle, at the Plaza, corner of Esquiú / San Martín. Tel.: 54 420897. Typical Argentine cuisine, good middle class.
- Restobar Plaza, San Martín 258. Tel.: 54 420309.
- Rancho de Fredo, Moreno 332. Tel.: 54 420527.
- Comedor Albina, Tomás Guido 250. Tel.: 54 420681.
- El Rey del Sandwich, 1 ° de Mayo 258. Tel.: 54 420842.
nightlife
The nightlife is concentrated in the area around the bus station, where there are a few bars and the only major nightclub. This is called K-sama and is located in the Caasama complex (next to the hotel of the same name). As in all small towns in Argentina, it is very mainstream, but you can also meet techno / house parties.
Festivals
The city is the scene of several festivals. The most famous is the folklore event Reina del Yocavil At the end of January, as part of the so-called Expo Valle (a fair where the products of the Valle Calchaquí are presented) takes place. There is also a at the beginning of the season (beginning of January) Folklore and rock festival. Another rock festival is Rockavil Mid-January.
Furthermore, each of the small suburbs has its own traditional festival, which is related to the agricultural products of the region - wine, fruit, nuts and cattle breeding, especially llamas.
accommodation
- Hotel de Turismo, San Martín 450. Tel.: 54 420240.
- El Algarrobo Apart Hotel, Sarmiento 410. Tel.: 54 420336.
- Hotel Caasama, at the bus station, 9 de July 500. Tel.: 54 420627. Hotel with a curious igloo design. Middle class.
- Hotel Plaza, San Martín 258. Tel.: 54 420309.
- Hotel Inti Huaico, Belgrano 146. Tel.: 54 420476.
- Hotel Perez, San Martín 94. Tel.: 54 420257.
- Hotel Amancay, Belgrano 471. Tel.: 54 421013.
- Hotel del Valle, 9 de july 300. Tel.: 54 422266.
- Camping Municipal, close to the center in a shady park. Tel.: 54 421083. With swimming pool and youth hostel.
- Camping El Sol, Camino a El Puesto, km. 1. Tel.: 54 421985.
health
Because of the high location at 1,700 m above sea level. and the very dry climate (it is said to have most of the sunny days in South America), sun protection is urgently required, even on short walks. Otherwise there are no particular health risks. There is a hospital in Santa María (1 de Mayo 250, Tel: 420263/591), in severe cases Tucumán is not far.
Practical advice
There are three tourist offices: one at the plaza itself (tel. 421093), then at the bus station and at a small post near the Pachamama statue. Since the place has so far been spared from mass tourism, the staff is happy to provide more extensive information.
The Banco Nación (with ATM) is on Miter Street, between Sarmiento and San Martín.
The postal code of Santa María is K4139, the phone code is 03838.
Santa María is one of the few towns in the Valle Calchaquí with broadband DSL access. There are a few internet cafes around the plaza. A digital GSM cell phone network is available.
trips
Quilmes ruins
The Quilmes ruins are a pre-Columbian fortress where the Diaguita Indians were able to resist the Spanish for more than a century between 1530 and 1650. It is often considered the most important archaeological site in Argentina and is located on the eastern slope of the Precordillera, more precisely the mountain Alto El Rey, 25 kilometers north of Santa María.
The visit costs a symbolic amount as entry. Guided tours are possible (every 30 minutes during peak hours) and free of charge, but not compulsory. Below the ruins there is a visitor center with a small museum, as well as a shop where you can buy carpets and other handicrafts, there is also a hotel (priced upper middle class). In March 2008, however, the facility was occupied by a group of Indians who claim the area for themselves, so the hotel and museum are closed until the dispute has been resolved (the group still leads tours through the facility, so the visit is at best less possible Contrary to comfort).
The central part of the fortress, which lies in a narrow and steep, short mountain valley, has been reconstructed, with the exception of the roofs, outside of which the complex is still in its original condition. The paths to the mountain peaks flanking the valley are remarkable.
Directions: over Amaichá del Valle (RN 40 / RP 307) Direction Cafayate to the tiny town of Quilmes, or on the old Ruta 40 via Fuerte Quemado (see section Sights). From there (visible only through several large piles of stones) a dirt road leads up to the ruins (approx. 5 km, walking is possible). Local buses to Cafayate stop at the entrance (3-5 times a day).
Other goals
- Amaichá del Valle, the largest city in Argentina owned by an Indian group and administered by them in the traditional way. 15 km north. She is famous for that National Pachamama Festival in February / March and that is very worth seeing Pachamama Museum. Numerous hikes and excursions are also possible here, including to the observatory Ampimpa or to the canyon El Remate.
- San Jose, small town with 2,500 inhabitants, only 8 km south of Santa María.
- Los Nacimientos de Arriba. Tiny thermal baths, 40 km south of the city, at an altitude of 3,000 m on a spectacular plateau next to a red-colored mountain slope. Only rudimentary accommodation options.
- Bajo de la Alumbrera, the largest copper mine in Argentina, in a side valley near Los Nacimientos de Arriba. Highly controversial because of temporary violations of environmental regulations. Guided tours are only possible with special permission.
Web links
- Santa María website
- Aproximaciones al Espacio Calchaquí - Extensive information for those interested in the Calchaquí culture (PDF, Spanish)
