Considered to be Argentina’s second city, Cordoba, the historic capital of the wealthy province of Cordoba, is situated in the far northwestern corner of the pampas. To the west of the city are the marvellous Sierras and to the east runs the Rio Suquia.

The Jesuits, who settled here in the late 16th century, were instrumental in shaping Cordoba. And many of their old buildings still dominate the city centre around the lovely Plaza San Martin, where Argentina’s oldest cathedral still stands. Nearby is the Manzana de los Jesuitas, an entire block of Jesuit buildings, including the Templo de la Compania de Jesus, the oldest surviving Jesuit temple, the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, the country’s first university and the Museo Historico de la Universidad Nacional de Cordoba Manzana Jesuitica.

The university remains very popular among young scholars and it is they who help maintain the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Just south of Plaza San Martin is the Monasterio de las Carmelitas Descalzdas de Santa Teresa de Jesus founded in the 1620s.