Argentina, Santa Fe – Museums and Local Snacks
Check Out the City's Historical Museums, Alfajores and Empanadas
Sep 1, 2009
There are three good reasons to visit Santa Fe. The city is one of the oldest in the country and of importance in Argentina's history, which is palpable in the city's historic buildings in the neighbourhood of "Old Santa Fe". Santa Fe's museums offer information about the city's historic importance as well as about its inhabitants throughout the centuries. Furthermore, there are the local delicacies to taste: Santa Fe Beer, "santafesino" alfajores and some of the best empanadas in Argentina.
Museums in Santa Fe
Santa Fe's museums are centred around Parque General Manuel Belgrano. The park is named after one of Argentina's military leaders in the country's war for independence. Whereas the rest of the city is in a dilapidated state, radiating decline and poverty, this little corner of the old city has been kept up nicely. It is clean and the colonial buildings have been renovated beautifully.
- The beautiful convent of San Francisco is the first to be noticed, thanks to its size and thick, white plastered walls. Part of the convent is open to visitors and houses a museum where, among other things, works of colonial art are displayed.
Amenábar 2257, open Mon-Sat 8-12am / 15.40-18.30pm. Closed on Sunday.
- Ethnographic museum Juan de Garay displays archaeological findings of the prehistoric inhabitants of this area, a scale model of the original settlement of Old Santa Fe, as well as archaeological treasures of Santa Fe de la Veracruz, the original city of Santa Fe which is now called Cayastá.
25 de Mayo, 1470, opening hours vary per season but roughly come down to: Tue-Fri 08.30-12am / 15.30-19pm – Sat and Sun 16-19pm. Closed on Monday.
- El Museo Histórico Provincial Brigadier General Estanislao López is situated in a picturesque, well-preserved historic building from colonial times. This museum focuses on Argentina's civil wars as well as on religious art, distributed by theme over eight different rooms.
San Martín 1490, opening hours vary per season and are similar to those of the Ethnographic Museum mentioned above.
Tasty Empanadas, Merengo Alfarojes and Beer in Santa Fe
On the corner of 1 Mayo and Zapre [Buenos Aires] stands Casa de las Empanadas. This is not a historic building but worth a visit all the same to try some of the tastiest empanadas [turnover stuffed with e.g. beef] in Argentina. Besides the quintessential empanada with ground meat, they offer empanadas with jamon/roquefort, Chileno [spicy] and ham/cheese.
In 1851 Don Hermenegildo Zuviría started the production of "santafesino" alfajores that in time brought him great fame. Nowadays Merengo alfajores are famous in Santa Fe and surroundings. Alfajores are one of the most popular sweet snacks in Argentina: cookies filled with “dulce de leche” [a caramel based on milk]. The Merengo alfajores are different from regular ones because of its powdered-sugar coating. Unfortunately, it's no longer possible to visit Merengo's production site but on 25 Plaza de Mayo they have maintained a bakery. For something sweet and tasty, and a typical Argentinian snack, have a go at it.
Santa Fe is a well-known brand of Argentinian beer. Its factory is open to visitors on Mon-Fri 8am-16pm [Road Calchines 1401]. Call in advance to make a reservation: 0800-88847482 / 0342-450223
Opening hours vary per season but come roughly down to: Tue-Fri 9am-13pm / 14-18pm – Sat and Sun 12am-18pm.
Even though Santa Fe is not on any must-see list when visiting Argentina, it is worth a visit for those who like historical sights and to discover cities that are off the beaten track. Readers interested in museums may also want to read about museums in Buenos Aires as well as in Neuquén.
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