This locality prides itself for being a great service provider to not only the northern part of Córdoba but to most provinces of the north-western region of Argentina. It is situated beside the Camino Real -at the west of the present National Route N° 9- which connected these lands with the Alto Perú. The Casa de Caroya also lies at the sides of this old road.

In prehistoric times, this area was dwelled by two aboriginal groups, the Sanavirones and the Comechingones, the first of which settled at the eastern flatlands and slopes of the Sierras Chicas as the latter did at the western skirts of this same mountain range, within the Punilla Valley.

This region is filled with history and traditions. The deeds and efforts of the Jesuits gave birth to several prosperous farms, which would later become the present days economic and cultural nucleus of the Nation, taking advantage of its location along the accustomed route for most of the Spanish expeditions, which by those times journeyed towards the Alto Perú and the Río de la Plata.

The greatest flood of tourists into this zone takes place during the 10 nights of the Festival de Doma y Folklore in January. But there are other traditional events that take place in Caroya, as the Patron Saint festivities in February and the Grape Harvest Provincial Feast in March. There are also a lot more activities in which the tourist can be part of during the festival time or at any other time of the year.

Bearing on mind that the lodging facilities have not been greatly developed as occurs throughout all of the northern zone of Córdoba, the gastronomy of this zone plays a very important role, standing out the renowned quality of its meat, of the chacinados and the local wine.

Some beautiful places, such as the Casa de Caroya and the Jesus Mary National Jesuitical Museum are in a close range and a little further on the Museo Rural Posta de Sinsacate, Santa Catalina or Barranca Yaco.

What to See

Festival of Taming and Folklore
During the year of 1965, a group of neighbours gathered in the Primer Teniente Morandini School to partake on another meeting of the cooperative society. The idea was to raise funds to ensure the continuity of the education of the students. The by then police officer Enrique Jarbas Pereyra put forward the idea of making a taming festival on a national scale. The birth date for the first summoning was January 8th of 1966.

So it happened that among the singing cords of the guitars, the plunging of nervous colts and the skills of the brave gauchos the 'Festival de Doma y Folklore de Jesus Maria' came to life, an event that has hence taken place year upon year as a token of tradition and national folklore.

Each ensuing edition of this festival uninterruptedly performed since, conveys large crowds, which surpass by far 200,000 souls throughout ten nights of colour and daring manhood.

National Jesuitic Museum of Jesús Maria
It is a trustworthy testimony of the legacy from the monks of the Company, also known as Estancia San Isidro.

Few metres away and across the river from the site of the amphitheatre where the 'Festival de Doma y Folklore' takes place, starts the ancient Camino Real Road to the Alto Peru. At one of its sides stands the Museo Jesuítico Jesús María, also known as Estancia San Isidro, honouring its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.

This place was once an important station for activities such as farming, livestock and wine production, in order to supply the Colegio Máximo de Córdoba. The place became rapidly renowned for its grapes and its exquisite wines. Its wine cellars produced the Lagrimilla, the first American wine ever to be scanted at the table of the kings of Spain.

The Jesus Maria Farm was declared a National Historical Monument in the year of 1941, and five years later, when the refurbishing works were completed, it was reopened as a museum. This precious building comprises 18 exhibition halls, containing several collections of great historical and artistic merit. It also contains collective expositions from local artists, especially during the length of the Festival.

Visits: From Mondays - Fridays between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays between 2:00 and 6:00 pm.