Salta is land of gauchos where rural life is
full of charm and surprises for the visitor.
Estancias and fincas are noted for their traditions, class and hospitality. They easily combine a rural active lifestyle with relax and nature. Horse rides, milking goats and cows, baking bread and making cheese are some of the rural chores the visitor can enjoy.
EL GAUCHO
It is the quintessential country man, symbol of the creole tradition recognized worldwide. Its origins date back to colonial times. Many of these farmers embraced ideals of honour, courage and loyalty, joining great leaders in pursuit of freedom. That happended with the “Gauchos” in Salta, who fought under the command of General Güemes against the royalist troops. Nowadays, the “Gauchos” keep these customs distinguished by their clothes: dark red poncho with black band, leather boots and hats, panties and finely hand-embroidered jacket. Complete the elegant clothing, the silver harrow or belt that holds the knife.
EL PONCHO SALTEÑO
Our “Poncho Salteño”, red, bull’s blood, with black band, neck and fringe, is defined as the garment of coverage (for cold or heat), already used in ancient times and representative of the higher creole population. It is the blanket that always accompanied every traveler. It is between 1.50 or 1.80 by 1.90 or 2.30, depending on the size of the wearer. It consists of two panels hand sewn with zig zag point or wing fly, bull’s blood red, scarlet red, with black ribbons. A circle of about 0.35 cm. approximately is left open in the center for the head. The neck contour is black like the bun, this is a sign to mourn the death of our General Güemes. At the completion of the garment, it has black fringes hand sewn of about 0.6 cm to 0.9 cm approximately.
FINCAS & ESTANCIAS
Life in the Estancias and Fincas in North Argentine allows you dive into the time when Argentina was a spanish colony. Some farms are heirs of colonial furniture, ancient documents and recipes from their ancestors. They have family atmosphere and personalized service, and the majority are served by its owners. The food has a special flavour because it is made from freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, grown in organic orchards in the farm. During the day you can go horseback riding, hiking and biking around the farm. Milking goats and cows, making cheese and homemade bread, learning about the cultivation of medicinal plants and horse caring, are other attractions of rural tourism that allows the visitor to experience farm work.
FIESTAS GAUCHAS
One of the great attractions of our province are the “Fiestas Gauchas” or Gauchos Parties. In every corner of Salta, the gauchos dressed in their best costumes parade with the images of the patron saints of each town.
After the parade, the traditional barbecue takes place and the celebrations start. Horse racing, dressage and folk dances show how tradition is kept alive in one of the most beautiful regions of Argentina.
MARTIN MIGUEL DE GÜEMES
Martin Miguel Juan de la Mata Güemes Montero Goyechea and la Corte was born in Salta on February 8 in 1785. He was a soldier that got an outstanding performance in the Independence War and in the argentine civil wars. He was governor of the province of Salta for six years and with very limited resources waged a nearly constant defensive war, known as “Guerra Gaucha” or Gaucha War, that kept the rest of the argentine territory free from realistic invasions.