At the heart of Cordoba’s historic quarter is the beautiful Jacaranda-filled Plaza San Martin, which dates back to the late 16th century although it wasn't until the late 1870s when it officially took on a more leisurely character. Today it’s a great place to stroll or people watch in the early evening. And there is an excellent bronze equestrian statue of the independence hero Jose Francisco de San Martin.

On the west side of the plaza is the white-painted Cabildo (town hall) and its numerous arches. It has not only served as the colonial headquarters but also as a prison, police headquarters and a secret detention centre. Its inner courtyards and rooms are now used largely for exhibitions and events as well as tango meets throughout the summer each Friday evening. And the Recova houses the Paseo de la Artes from, open Mon-Sat 9am-2pm and 4pm-9.30pm, where there is a good selection of arts and crafts typical of Cordoba and Argentina.

Next door to the Cabildo is the oldest cathedral in Argentina. It’s a stunning architectural masterpiece, a mixture of both Neoclassical and Baroque. The cathedral has two ornate clock towers, immense wrought-iron gates and intricately-carved wooden doors. Inside, it's comparatively simple except for a Rococo pulpit and some painted ceilings. To the north of the plaza is the small 18th-century Oratorio del Obispo Mercadillo with its wrought-iron balcony. The building is now home to the Museo Eclesiástico Deán Gregorio Funes Y Centro Municipal De Exposiciones Obispo Mercadillo which primarily hosts religious exhibitions. Open Mon-Fri 9am-1pm.