Villa General Belgrano
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Often called the “town of cultures”, Villa General Belgrano certainly maintains a lot of central European influence, set between the Sierras Chicas and the Sierras Grandes, proudly acting as the main tourist destination in the Valle de Calamuchita, in the province of Córdoba.
Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba
The town was originally born as a central European village in the midst of the Córdoba sierras. Paul Friedrich Heintze first arrived here in 1929, with the aim of foresting the land and giving birth to agricultural cooperatives, as was done in Germany. Along with Jorge Kappuhn, who had the money to invest, they acquired the place named El Sauce, which they parceled out to various German immigrants. The first 15 families arrived in 1932, but the freezing temperatures hindered the project’s progress.
A few years later, a group of students, teachers and parents from German schools in Buenos Aires arrived. The amazing food and the great attention they received was perfect for tourists and immigrants, and the village began to grow. In 1937, it was named Villa Calamuchita, but a strange event in 1943, which resulted in the burning of the Argentine flag, initiated the Córdoba legislature to rename it Villa General Belgrano, paying homage to the man who designed the flag. It officially became a municipality in 1953.
The town almost seems like an alpine village, with its woven goods, flowering gardens, and abundance of wood, highlighted by the smells and tastes of its European cuisine. While it is indeed a town of Córdoba, it still maintains many of the traditions and characteristic cordiality set forth by the original immigrants.
It is truly a privileged climate, illuminated by 300 days of sun per year, which allows the enjoyment of the incredible countryside without seasonal restrictions. Tourists find themselves with plenty to do, and even just taking some time to breath in the dry, clean air is a worthwhile activity. There are also many outdoor activities which can be done, and the infrastructure has been set up to make it all possible.
The small town is also home to the Fiesta Nacional de la Cerveza, better known as Oktoberfest. People come from all around to enjoy this traditional German celebration, and drink fine brews, all while enjoying the beaches of the Reartes River, the nearby golf courses, museums, restaurants, culture and general tranquility. Discover more about this great area of Cordoba, check the Argentina travel guide index for more information.
Villa General Belgrano is a great place to spend the night, both because of its great hospitality, and because there are plenty of places to stay. The town is delightful to explore, and it acts as a great jumping off point for excursions to the most beautiful corners of the Valle de Calamuchita. After a long day of exploring, you will be happy to return to delicious food, friendly people, and a warm bed.
The town can be accessed along RN 8 and RP 36, if coming from Buenos Aires. If flying into the city of Córdoba, the town is a mere 88 kilometers away by car.