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Alta Gracia


Alta Gracia is a city located in the north-centre of the . Its name means "High Grace". It is built upon the Sierras Chicas, in a region that the Comechingon Indians used to call Paravachasca. It has about 43,000 inhabitants .

History

In the 17th century Alta Gracia was as a large agricultural ranch (an estancia) operated by Jesuits. Along with other ranches, including Colonia Caroya, Jesus Maria, Santa Catalina, La Candelaria y San Ignacio de los Ejercicios, Alta Gracia was founded to economically support the Collegium Maximum or "Colegio Maximo", one of Argentina's first universities (Universitas Cortuba Tucumanae) today: Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, and other educational institutes that are now part of the Manzana Jesuitica ("Jesuit Block"), an important center in Cordoba City. The Jesuit Block and Estancias of Cordoba were named World Heritage site in 2000.

Owners of the Estancia Alta Gracia:

Don Juan Nieto, 1588

Alonso Nieto de Herrera, who named it after "Nuestra Senora de Alta Gracia"

The Society of Jesus (donated by Alonso Nieto)

Santiago de Liniers, 1810, who lived there for about 5 months

Jose Manuel Solares, 1868

Manuel de Falla

Attractions

Alta Gracia has a rich historical heritage. Some of the most important places are:

The museum of Santiago de Liniers.

"El Tajamar", a man-made lake.

"El Obraje", a workshop were the Jesuits taught many Indians the different crafts.

The Sierras Hotel, which John F. Kennedy has visited.

A house where revolutionary Che Guevara used to live.

Sources

In Spanish unless otherwise noted.

Municipality of Alta Gracia - Official website.
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Alta Gracia


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